96 Points – Andrew Caillard MW

When it comes to Australian winemakers, few are as revered as John Duval. One of the world’s best known winemakers, Duval comes from a family that boasts four generations of South Australian vignerons. Duval was appointed chief winemaker at Penfolds in 1986; following in the footsteps of Australian winemaking greats including Max Schubert and Don Ditter, and was custodian of Penfolds Grange for almost 30 years. In 2003, John Duval established his eponymous label, with a focus on old vine Barossa Valley Shiraz, along with some select other Rhone varietals. 

John Duval Plexus Red is a traditional Barossa blend of Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvedre. Since its inaugural release in 2003, Plexus has been made with the intention of expressing a wide spectrum of fruit flavours, whilst ensuring seamless integration of the contrasting characters of the three varietals. The 2021 John Duval Plexus nails this brief perfectly delivering a delicious, approachable Barossa red that will provide plenty of drinking pleasure over the coming decade.

“96 points. Deep crimson. Lovely dark plum. Blackberry, mocha aromas with lifted liquorice notes. A well-balanced wine with deep set blackberry, dark plum, dark chocolate fruits, fine cedary, gravelly tannins and integrated walnutty, sandalwood notes. Chocolaty finish. Now – 2032.”- Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal May 2023.