Winemaker Notes
Blend: 51%Shiraz, 30% Grenache, 19% Mourvedre
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Duval's regional red, which melds shiraz, grenache and mourvèdre together seamlessly, is a stunning rendition in the 2012 vintage. The Barossan origin is strong in all aspects of the wine, which shows deep blackberries and other red fruits on the nose in addition to some gently earthy and tarry meat accents, hints of nutty oak and a sense of vibrant ripeness. The palate delivers redder than expected fruit flavors. Grenache speaks strong here. Tannins are soft, supple and layered, and the wine occupies every corner of the mouth. Starts bright, builds full, finishes long, fades slow. Drink now.
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Wine Spectator
Dark and spicy, with an earthy, meaty cast to the plum and black currant fruit. Fine tannins maintain a mild grip as the finish lingers with unexpected but welcome transparency. Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvèdre. Best from 2016 through 2020.
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Wine Enthusiast
Like all the Duval wines, this is amply structured. Cedar and vanilla notes frame dark fruit flavors in this blend of 51% Shiraz, 30% Grenache and 19% Mourvèdre. Its full bodied, with a long, dusty finish.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
Historically and presently the most important wine-producing region of Australia, the Barossa Valley is set in the Barossa zone of South Australia, where more than half of the country’s wine is made. Because the climate is very hot and dry, vineyard managers work diligently to ensure grapes reach the perfect levels of phenolic ripeness.
The intense heat is ideal for plush, bold reds, particularly Shiraz on its own or Rhône Blends. Often Shiraz and Cabernet partner up for plump and powerful reds.
While much less prevalent, light-skinned varieties such as Riesling, Viognier or Semillon produce vibrant Barossa Valley whites.
Most of Australia’s largest wine producers are based here and Shiraz plantings date back as far as the 1850s or before. Many of them are dry farmed and bush trained, still offering less than one ton per acre of inky, intense, purple juice.