John Duval Entity Shiraz Barossa Valley 2014 | A little ‘Grange’ for $35!
A deep inky-purple wine that stains the glass. While leading to intense dark-fruit aromas, powerful with heady purple florals and dazzling sweet spice. Full-bodied, rich, and juicy on the attack, an intensely fruit-driven palate. In addition, exuding flavors of concentrated blackberry and sappy blueberry, crème de cassis, and new-wood cedar. Plus, robust and velvety tannins reinforcing juicy acidity, marrying power with a gulpable appeal. Enjoy Winemaker John Duval Entity Shiraz Barossa Valley 2014 now for its youthful opulence, or cellar until 2030.
From old vineyards in Krondorf, Marananga and Eden Valley, open-fermented with submerged cap (header board). Maturing for 15 months in French oak (35% new). John Duval Entity Shiraz Barossa Valley 2014 expresses succulent, rich and powerful predominantly black fruits and some spice. Yet, the hallmarks are its supple mouthfeel and effortless balance.
96-point expression of “Entity”
So, in 2014, when Duval crafted a stunning, 96-point expression of “Entity,” we, of course, pounced on an allocation. First of all, 100% Shiraz, sourced from exceptionally old vines in the sun-soaked Barossa Valley. And blended with fruit from the higher elevation, cool-climate Eden Valley for elegance and style. Rightfully calling Duval’s 2014 “Entity” a “little Grange.”
Calling Australia’s most revered winemaker John Duval an “Australian wine legend” by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. Our first experience with Duval’s “Entity” bottling was with the 2007 vintage, a release that garnered 60 perfect 5-star ratings from Wine Access clients. When in 2008 and 2009, we were shut out after Parker dropped matching 94-point ratings on those vintages. Therefore, we vowed never to let that happen again.
Winemaker John Duval
So, Winemaker John Duval spent 29 years at Penfolds, one of Australia’s most legendary wineries. While crafting each extraordinary vintage of Grange for seventeen years as head winemaker. Furthermore, a Shiraz bottling equaled only by the likes of Guigal’s Côte-Rôties and Michel Chapoutier’s Hermitage.
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In 2002, Duval left Penfolds to focus on his own small-production Shiraz — the most extraordinary of which is called “Entity. Australia’s leading critic, James Halliday, awarded the 2014 Entity 96 points, calling it “full bodied and generous, with an excellent concentration of blackberry fruit. 100 cases.