John Duval
About John Duval
John Duval is an internationally acclaimed winemaker who formerly headed the winemaking team at Australia’s most legendary estate, Penfolds. Responsible for producing the iconic Penfolds Grange, as well as new cuvées such Bin 407 and ‘RWT’ Shiraz during his tenure, Duval is one of the single most influential winemakers over the last century.
Experiencing his first vintage at Australia’s greatest estate in 1974, Duval spent the following 12 years learning from founder Max Schubert and head winemaker Don Ditter. 1986 saw John Duval become only the third person responsible for one of the world’s greatest wines in Penfolds Grange.
Duval’s mastery in winemaking led him to establish his own winery, John Duval Wines, in 2003. With a focus on old vine Shiraz and other Rhône varietals, he makes small volumes of magical wines from the Barossa Valley. Since 2016, John Duval has been joined by his son, Tim. The father-and-son partnership continues the obsessive experimentation and introduction of new and exciting cuvées to the market.
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(6x75cl) 2022Vinous (96)
A single vineyard over 160 years of age and the outstanding 2022 vintage met the steady winemaking hands of father and son John and Tim Duval to yield a stunning and ethereal Grenache. Deeply textural, with a spectacular combination of reserved power and sophistication, this unique and finely tuned expression of Grenache is embryonic and destined to flower beautifully over the next decade or two.$284.00 -
Halliday Wine Companion (97)
Made from centenarian vines in Light Pass, matured for 15 months in used French oak. This is a glorious manifestation of the '17 vintage, its cool conditions retaining freshness of fruit at a very modest alcohol level. A sheer pleasure to drink.$288.00 -
$237.00 -
(1x75cl) 2015Halliday Wine Companion (97)
75% Barossa Valley, 25% Eden Valley, as always, the best grapes of the vintage. Fermented with submerged cap in small open fermenters, matured for 20 months in French hogsheads (55% new). The power and intensity of this wine takes your breath away. Its dark, brooding black fruits are woven together by firm tannins that are an essential part of the wine. It's certain that 20 months in 55% new French hogsheads has also imprinted itself on the bouquet and palate, but its presence is (relatively) subtle. I would give a longer drink to date if it were under screwcap, but the cork used is high quality, and should see out 25 years.$148.00 -
Halliday Wine Companion (98)
Eligo is made from the best parcels of the vintage, fermented with submerged caps in small open fermenters, matured for 20 months in French hogsheads (50% new). The tannins and oak are built into the wine like an inlaid checkerboard table created by a master craftsman with decades of experience. Like John Duval.$414.00 -
Halliday Wine Companion (97)
John Duval is a master blender. This is all about the best of the vintage, fruit from various sites across the and Eden Barossa Valleys, to morph into the mighty Eligo. A powerhouse of flavour yet never loses focus. Dark plums infused with star anise, cinnamon, Dutch licorice and soy sauce. Full-bodied with velvety rich tannins. It gets the most oak - French hogsheads 54% new, aged 18 months, and needs time to settle in. It will.$689.00 -
Halliday Wine Companion (99)
From old vines in five districts, fermented with submerged cap, matured in French hogsheads (32% new) for 15 months. Complex and rich from the first whiff through to the aftertaste, not wasting a single berry in this great vintage. So much power, such elegance.$313.00 -
Decanter (96)
Velvety opulence speaks from the moment this hits your tongue until the last drop disappears. It’s a luxurious take on the grandeur of fit, medium-bodied Shiraz, putting plush red berry characteristics on a pedestal, encasing them gently in oak and fine-gain tannin, then allowing them to saunter gracefully down the long catwalk before sashaying out the exit curtain. Bravo! Further ageing will only enhance its beauty.$161.00 -
(6x75cl) 2012Halliday Wine Companion (95)
Armed with flavour and dangerously drinkable. Red and black berries, ground Asian spice, earth, aniseed and quick kiss of cedary French oak. Puts on an impeccable performance.$171.00 -
(6x75cl) 2020$445.00 -
$146.00 -
Halliday Wine Companion (98)
A full-bodied wine of ultimate coherence and quality, the bouquet setting the signal for the palate to follow. Attention to detail is obvious, especially the handling of tannins and oak. The integration of these components with the blackcurrant fruit is faultless.$1,150.00 -
The Vintage Journal (98)
Deep crimson. Complex blackcurrant, blackberry, praline, roasted chestnut mocha, marzipan notes. Richly flavoured, round and smooth with beautiful pure blackcurrant, blackberry mocha espresso flavours, fine loose-knit grainy tannins and underlying roasted chestnut, toffee notes. Finishes chocolaty and long with a long life ahead.$744.00
