2022 John Duval 'Annexus' Mataro

95 POINTS

Gary Walsh - The Wine Front

A 100+ year old vineyard in Light Pass. Well, it could not be anything other than Mataro, the signature here is so firm. Black and blue fruit, bergamot, spice, dark chocolate and liquorice, dried herbs and new leather. Medium to full-bodied, roasted nuts and beef dripping trimmed with rosemary and sage, fleshy but fine tannin, with a cherry pip and orange peel finish of excellent length. Rugged, but polished into shape. Very good!

95 POINTS

Dave Brookes - Halliday Wine Companion

Old-vine mataro at its finest. There is a wonderful density and presence to the rich, dark plum and black fruits in this wine. Beefy and meaty with thick shoulders and layers of dark spice, dried meats, licorice, bay leaf, lavender, demi-glace, panforte and dark earth. Full bodied and pure of fruit with fine, sedentary tannins and a sapid, briny twist to the acidity creating tension and drive and willing another pour.

94 POINTS

Angus Hughson - Vinous

The more ethereal 2022 Mataro Annexus is immediately seductive, delivering a beautifully balanced blend of sweet blackberry and licorice lifted by savory, earthy spices. Effortless textures with lovely initial vibrancy open into more fleshy flavors well-defined by al-dente tannins. It's a little reserved right now but has the integrity to age well.

93 POINTS

James Suckling

A spicy character here with red and dark fruit, and notes of dried herbs and wet stones on the nose. Medium-bodied, velvety and mellow with supple and very approachable tannins and crunchy fruit. Shows freshness and poise. Lengthy, mineral finish.

93 POINTS

Erin Larkin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2022 Annexus Mataro leads with a pop; it has a bright nose of strawberry and cherry, raspberry, cocoa and licorice. It is on the palate where the emergence of complexity from the 100-year-old vines becomes evident. This is texturally complex and chewy, and it provides a full 360-degree view of Mataro: tannin, earth, fruit, spice, length and finesse. Perhaps it's slightly less elegant but slightly more immediately pleasurable and seductive? Lovely wine nonetheless. Really good. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

93 POINTS

Christina Pickard - Wine Enthusiast

There's an ease about this Mataro, a.k.a. Mourvèdre. It slinks with supple black fruits, oodles of well-integrated savory spice, ground pepper, a touch of florals. The acidity is excellent, creating tension on the palate. Tannins are supple, framing spice-flecked berry fruit to the finish. This will continue to evolve for at least another 8 years.