Wine Review – John Duval Eligo 2008

John Duval Eligo 2008


Country: Australia
Region: Barossa Valley, Eden Valley
Grape: 100% Shiraz
ABV: 14.5%


Colour: Deep purple, slight clear garnet on the edge

Nose:
Clean, medium+ intensity, fully developed. Plum, blackberry, blueberry, pepper, savoury smoke, oak, graphite, touch of leather

Palate:
Dry, medium+ acidity, medium+ tannins, medium+ alcohol, full body, medium+ flavour intensity.
Plum, saline, black cherry, blackberry, liquorice

Finish: Long finish, pepper, integrated oak, waves of dark fruits for a good 15-20 seconds.

Score: 88/100


A great wine from the legendary Australian wine maker – John Duval, and Eligo being their flagship wine. Decanted for 1.5 hours. Fully developed, with some structure to hold onto its prime for at least 2-4 more years, would highly recommend drinking in the near future if you still have a bottle.

The nose is rather intense, showing a great balance of fruit, matured notes, and the classic peppery spice. On the palate, abundant of mellow black fruits, liquorice, and pepper, with a touch of saltiness, followed by a long finish that lingers for 15-20 seconds.

This is a very good wine, riding right on its prime. Although not as complex as a I thought it would been, the wine as a whole is well composed, from the nose, flavour, mouthfeel, and finish. Not the typical fruit bomb of Barossa, but shows a nice balance of power and elegance.

Small Gully Mr. Black’s Concoction Shiraz/Viognier 2013

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Small Gully Mr. Black’s Concoction Shiraz/Viognier 2013


Colour: Medium+ purple core

Nose: Immediately greeted by a whiff of smoke, followed by black cherry and black raspberry, liquorice and baking spices.

Palate: Full bodied, medium+ acidity, medium silky tannins. Spices and dark fruits in harmony, a touch of well integrated oak and vanilla. The fruit is well balanced with acidity.

Finish: Long finish, black cherry and lingering spices.

Score: 81/100

I have to admit I have a soft spot for a smoky wine, and this wine delivers. Also at a fantastic price point consider I got it for $18CAD($13.50USD) on a store clearance.