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2012 Duval "Entity" Shiraz (96 Decanter / 93 ST) "best edition of this well-crafted Shiraz" - 07/29/2014 - Australia

2012 John Duval

2012 John Duval "Entity" Shiraz Barossa Valley South Australia (Elsewhere $40) ($29.99)

96 points Decanter: "For me, the best edition of this well-crafted Shiraz. The nose is ripe and mellow, with layers of rich blackberry and plum. There's a wealth of spice and soulful, earthy depth and a smoky tarry edge too. The palate is smoothly honed, with a dense mid-palate that offers bright blackberry and plum flavors. Deceptively study tannins carry hauntingly throughout and merit considerable cellaring if you can manage to keep your hands off it! Drink 2018-2030." (06/2014)

94 points James Halliday: "Warm at heart but with its eyes firmly set on savouriness. Sweet plum and vanilla meet notes of soy, crushed leaf, woody spice and clove. Intricately tannic. Winds up and lets fly with a style punch of flavour through the finish. *Silver* (CM)" (07/2014)

93 points Int'l Wine Cellar: "Inky ruby. Explosive smoke- and spice-accented boysenberry and blackcurrant aromas show an exotic floral nuance and suggestions of licorice and allspice. Fleshy and broad on the palate, offering sweet dark fruit flavors and a bracing jolt of peppery spices. Finishes energetic, focused and pure, with silky tannins and a late touch of candied flowers. As attractive as this Shiraz is right now, I'd give it at least another five years of bottle aging before digging in. (JR)" (07/2014)

93 points Wine Enthusiast: "This is another top-flight example of how good the 2012 vintage was for South Australian Shiraz. The oak here is so subtle as to not factor into the wine's scents of raspberry and cracked pepper. Hints of spice and vanilla mark the palate, gently accenting red berry fruit before ending in a flood of silky tannins. Drink now2030. *Editors' Choice* (JC)" (10/2015)

92 points Wine Spectator: "Fresh and vital, with expressive flavors of dark plum and spice on an open texture, coming together with intensity and grace on the finish against a light blanket of tannins. Drink now through 2022. (HS)" (10/2014)

91 points James Suckling: "Lots of ripe fruit here with plums and raisins. Full body, soft tannins and a delicious finish. Clean and well-made for the vintage. Polished. Drink now. Screw cap." (02/2014)

91 points Wine Advocate: "Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2012 Entity has a baked black cherry and dried mulberry-laced nose with hints of prunes, Chinese five spice, black pepper and licorice. Full-bodied with plenty of spicy flavor, the baked black fruit flavors are framed by chewy tannins and it finishes long and anise-laced." (07/2015)

K&L Notes: One of the all-time icons of Australian winemaking, John Duval (ex-Penfolds Grange winemaker) has done it again, producing a stunning reflection of the excellent 2012 vintage with his Entity Shiraz. The 2012 Entity is exclusively sourced from old vine vineyards in the Barossa and Eden Valleys. Duval employs very minimal interventionist techniques to allow the quality and purity of fruit to shine through. John Duval is one of the driving forces behind this irresistible style of ultimate power and elegance combined. Winemaker's Notes: "100% Shiraz sourced from old vineyards in the Krondorf, Greenock and Eden Valley regions. Fermentation is done is small open stainless steel fermenters. Oak maturation follows for 16 months, with 30% new fine grain French oak hogsheads (300 litres) and the balance in 2, 3 and 4 year old hogsheads. The wines color is deep ruby purple. On the nose attractive blackberry and blueberry aromatics, complexed with some savoury spice. On the palate the wines is full bodied and generous, with layers of dark berry fruit and youthful balanced tannins. Very pure and mouth filling, with ample structure to reward cellaring for 12 years+."

Ryan Woodhouse | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 18, 2015

Power, precision and persistence sum up this wine perfectly. I love how Duval's wines capture the richness that I love in Barossa Shiraz but always remain refined, elegant and fine boned. Exceptional purity of fruit, silky tannin structure and some complex earthy, savory undertones. A subtle kiss of oak frames everything perfectly. Forget about trying to cellar this one...it's way too good right now to leave alone! Juicy dark fruit, blackcurrant, plum, cassis, sweet spices and dash of vanillin oak and scorched earth. Full bodied and rich but balanced and vibrant.