John Duval spent 29 years as winemaker at Penfold’s before establishing his eponymous label in 2002. His Annexus Grenache was grown in 150-year-old vineyards in Barossa. Fruit was hand-picked and fermentation was conducted in small open top fermenters, with some whole clusters. The wine aged in 100 percent French oak barrels for one year.
It’s sharp and savory, crisply dressed. The fragrance is of hibiscus, black currant, violets, old rose petals, and forest floor. The body is savory, with sharp acidity in the mid palate and a finish like black tea muddled with black currants. Not fruity, not oaky or woody, but woodsy instead, with a deep black forest note. It likes some air to open up and was more yielding on Day Two.
Pair it with roasts and game, or anything richly savory, and feel it light up.
14% abv | $60 (sample) Imported by Old Bridge Cellars
