John Duval Wines, Entity, Barossa Valley 2022

Velvety opulence speaks from the moment this hits your tongue until the last drop disappears. It’s a luxurious take on the grandeur of fit, medium-bodied Shiraz, putting plush red berry characteristics on a pedestal, encasing them gently in oak and fine-gain tannin, then allowing them to saunter gracefully down the long catwalk before sashaying out the exit curtain. Bravo! Further ageing will only enhance its beauty.

The stylish 2022 Shiraz Entity offers fine and detailed aromas of dried meats and dark cherry with a strong seam of crushed cloves. It is dry, mid-weight and quite Rhône with meat and spice flavors, with a fresh line of acidity leading to a very long and refined finish. The 2022 is charming and should age well.

The 2022 Entity Shiraz is 85% Barossa Valley and 15% Eden Valley. The palate is, as this producer is so consistently capable of, supple and polished, with brilliant fruit clarity and poise. The framing of the 2022 vintage works in the favor of this wine; it is more bulbous and rounded than the 2021 tasted beside it, but I like it; it balances the heady fruit and brings pleasure and chew and bounce to the wine. Excellent. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

Ripe but very attractive black and blue fruit with cooking spices, sandalwood and hints of tar. Focused and vivid on the palate with medium to full body and fine, well-integrated tannins. It is juicy and agile with some dusty mineral nuances and hints of white pepper at the end. Long finish. Drink or hold. Screw cap.