Overview
The 2016 John Duval Wines Eligo Shiraz is a flagship Barossa Shiraz built from selected vineyard parcels representing the best of the vintage. From Latin meaning “to pick out, select or choose the best”, Eligo is crafted as a structured yet elegant expression of Barossa Shiraz, combining restrained power, rich texture and long palate length.
Vintage & Winemaking
The 2016 growing season was characterised by low winter and spring rainfall, followed by a hot spell in mid-December. The hot conditions were broken by 40mm of rain in late January, perfectly timed for dry-grown vines. The balance of the ripening season saw warm days and slightly cooler-than-average nights, helping the vines cope with the warm conditions.
The wine was sourced from excellent Shiraz vineyards in the Barossa Valley and Eden Valley, comprising 75% Barossa Valley and 25% Eden Valley fruit. Fermentation took place with submerged caps in small stainless steel fermenters, with some batches held on skins for up to two weeks. The wine was matured for 20 months in French oak hogsheads, with 50% new fine grain French oak and the balance in two- and three-year-old hogsheads.
Product Highlights
- Flagship Shiraz from John Duval Wines.
- 98 points from James Halliday.
- Selected from the best Shiraz parcels of the 2016 vintage.
- 75% Barossa Valley and 25% Eden Valley fruit.
- Matured 20 months in French oak hogsheads, 50% new.
Critic Scores & Reviews
98 Points - James Halliday
"The tannins and oak are built into the wine like an inlaid checkerboard table created by a master craftsman..." Published 11 July 2021.
95 Points - Wine Enthusiast
"Rich, complex and heady aromas of blueberry, blackberry and plum cascade from the glass..." Christina Pickard. Tasted July 2020.
95 Points - Robert Parker The Wine Advocate
2016 Vintage. Tasted August 2020. Recommended drinking: 2020-2035.
Tasting Notes
Appearance
Deep purple red.
Nose
Lifted black plum, blackberry and blueberry with hints of earth, anise and spicy, savoury oak.
Palate
An elegant expression of rich dark fruits with earthy savouriness and smoked meat notes. Deep and intense, with excellent fruit purity, freshness, a taut backbone and long flowing tannin structure.
Food Pairing
Pairs well with beef and venison, especially grilled steak, roast beef, slow-braised beef, lamb and richly flavoured game dishes.
Cellaring Potential
Drink from 2020 to 2035.
About John Duval Wines
John Duval Wines is led by John Duval, one of the Barossa's most respected winemakers. Eligo represents a meticulous selection of the best Shiraz parcels, with Barossa Valley components chosen for structure, depth and length, and Eden Valley components adding lifted spice, elegant fruit and balanced acidity.
Specifications
- Producer: John Duval Wines
- Vintage: 2016
- Country: Australia
- Region: Barossa, South Australia
- Grape Variety: Shiraz
- Blend: 75% Barossa Valley, 25% Eden Valley
- Wine Style: Red Wine - Rich and Intense
- Oak Maturation: 20 months in French oak hogsheads, 50% new
- Alcohol: 14.5%
- pH: 3.54
- Total Acidity: 6.4g/L
- Sweetness: Dry
- Bottle Size: 750ml
