2013 John Duval Eligo Shiraz

Eligo Shiraz is a vineyard selection of the best, low yielding parcels of exceptional fruit that winemaker John Duval can source. Maturation takes place in 75% new fine grain French oak hogsheads with the balance in 2 and 3 year old hogsheads for a period of 20 months.

Exceptional colour displaying a black as night core with a very deep dark purple black hue. Powerful liquorice and blackberry aromatics laced with fennel and smoky cedar waft from the glass with an underlying meatiness and blackpepper following on. A huge core of rich liquorice, blackberry and dark plum fruit lavishly cascades across the palate underscored by complexing nuances of fennel, mocha, subtlety smoked cedar, dried meats, pepper and spice. Exceptionally concentrated and powerful with an opulent meaty mouthfeel and velvety perfectly integrated tannins. Very long aftertaste of liquorice, ripe blackberries, black cherries, mocha, fennel, smoky cedar, dried meats and pepper.
Cellar 6-8 years.
Alc 14.5%

Other Reviews….
Very deep purple-black in color, the 2013 Eligo has an intoxicating nose of creme de cassis, blueberry tart and violets with underlying menthol, cloves, fenugreek, licorice and dark chocolate hints. The medium to full-bodied palate is youthfully restrained, with taut, muscular blackberry and exotic spice flavors supported by fine-grained, firm tannins and lively acid, finishing with excellent length. This is a very classy 2013 Shiraz! Drink 2018-2032.
98+ points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown – Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate

Represents the best wine of the vintage, sourced from the Barossa and Eden Valleys, matured for 20 months in French hogsheads (75% new). The aim is a structured (achieved in spades) and elegant (give it 10 years) expression of Barossa shiraz. My query on elegance is due to the obvious French oak: it simply needs a Grange-like decade to come into integrated balance. Drink by 2048.
97 points
James Halliday – Australian Wine Companion