John Duval Plexus SGM 2008 Barossa Valley, Australia

One of the world's great winemakers, John Duval of Grange left Penfolds to start out on his own with the 2003 vintage, sourcing fruit from some long-time friends in the Barossa. His red wines - a Shiraz and a Shiraz/Grenache/Mourvedre blend - are sourced from old Barossa vines aged between 50 and 100 years old and showcase the best of the Barossa region. Sourced from old vineyards in the Krondorf, Marananga, Tanunda, Light Pass and Eden Valley regions of the Barossa.

These grapes were sourced from vineyards in the Stockwell, Light Pass, Krondorf and Marananga regions. Grenache from old bush vines 50-60 years old from Stockwell, Light Pass and the Krondorf regions. Mourvèdre (Mataro) from old bush vines, the oldest over 100 years old, from the Light Pass and Krondorf regions. 53% Shiraz, 26% Grenache, 21% Mourvedre

The vintage started with favourable flowering conditions, a nice surprise after the 2007 drought year. After a few hot days in December, January and February were relatively mild with excellent conditions for ripening. The vintage started with Shiraz from the Krondorf region on 5th February, four days earlier than 2007. By the end of February all of the best Shiraz blocks were harvested, meaning they avoided the heat wave experienced in Southern Australia in early March. With careful vineyard monitoring, Grenache and Mourvèdre were harvested before they became over ripe.

Fermentation with submerged cap in both traditional old open and small stainless steel fermenters. 100% barrel matured for 16 months. Some Shiraz finished fermentation in new oak. 10% new, fine grain, French oak hogsheads (300 litres), with the balance matured in three year and older, mostly French, oak.

John Duval Plexus SGM 2008 from the Barossa Valley in South Australia is a deep, deep ruby colour, the rim is narrow and again deep ruby. Intense aromas of ripe black cherry, plum, chocolate, coffee all encased in savoury leather and earthy spice, this leads to juicy fruits on the palate, again cherry and black berries, the tannins are finely etched and have a little grip but are deeply savoury, they add structure to this already complex array, the acidity is perky and the alcohol and body complete the balance. The length is long and stylish with drive and persistence finishing in spice encased fruits. The oak used adds a polish and additional layers of complexity, this wine has pedigree and integrity, the mature smoothness is a joy!

Score : 91

The Barossa Valley has a great winemaking and grape growing heritage dating back to 1842 with a German influence who first settled here from Silesia and is home to some of the oldest vines in the world. In some families, there have been six generations of grape growers and winemakers. German culinary traditions and Lutheranism are still important aspects of the local culture; Barossa Valley even has its own German dialect, "Barossa Deutsch." Johann Gramp is said to have planted one of the first vineyards in the area, near Jacob's Creek. The Aldenhoven brothers and Joseph Gilbert are also thought to be some of the first growers in the Barossa Valley. Around the same time, Dr. Christopher Penfold moved to the valley, bringing with him some vine cuttings from France. He planted them near his new house and became a grower as well as a physician. Several other vineyards were established in those early years, including Joseph Seppelt's Seppeltsfield and Auguste Fiedler's vineyard, now part of the Château Tanunda estate.

The Barossa Valley is about 35 miles northeast of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. The North Para River runs through the middle of the region. The climate is ideal for full bodied red wines, fortified wines and robust white wines and is said to be Mediterranean, but some of the higher areas can bedescribed as Continental. Barossa Valley is about 35 miles northeast of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. The North Para River runs through the middle of the region.

The region produces a great variety of wine, with the main styles being Chardonnay, Riesling, Semillon, Grenache, Mourvedre, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. One important fact is that the Barossa Valley is Phyllowera free due to strict quarantine rules and working with local residents and visitors, South Australia even has an official board dedicated to these tasks, the Phylloxera and Grape Industry Board of South Australia, which works with growers and winemakers to prevent infestations and promote use of phylloxera- and nematode-resistant rootstocks. The first vines planted were of course Phylloxera free.

Barossa ValleyShiraz: Shiraz is recognized universally as the Barossa Valleys signature wine. The wines are lush, velvety and mouth-filling. The flavours range from black cherries to blackberries and the tannins are generally ripe and soft.

Awards :

SILVER - Decanter World Wine Awards 2011

SILVER - Sommelier Wine Awards 2011


Reviews this wine has received.

95 points James Halliday
Purple-red; Barossa Valley blends of Shiraz/Grenache/Mourvedre seldom have the poise, conviction or richness of this wine; the flavours are multilayered yet not the least jammy, the tannins particularly good, the length all one can ask for. Screwcap.

93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2008 Plexus Shiraz Grenache Mourvedre is a decidedly Shiraz dominant version of this classic blend. Deep garnet-purple colored, it gives an abundance of Indian spice aromas - cumin seed, fenugreek and cloves - over raspberry cordial, preserved blackberry, dusty earth, powdered cinnamon and moss covered tree bark. The full-bodied palate displays the elegance of this blend in its effortless harmony, offering a medium-high level of very fine tannins, crisp acid and ample opulent flesh with a long finish. Drink it now to 2018+. With 35 years in the winemaking business under his belt, nearly 30 of which were spent making Grange and developing the RWT label at Penfolds, John Duval is a bit of an Australian wine legend. (93+) (12/ 2010) 
                                             
93 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Inky ruby. Expressive black raspberry and cherry aromas are complicated by black and white pepper and incense. A floral note comes up air and carries onto the palate, joining sweet red and dark berry preserve flavors and undertones of anise and candied rose. A hint of candied flowers lingers on a very long, sappy finish. I'd have no problem drinking this now. For a wine from a ripe vintage this is quite elegant. (8/ 2010) 
                                             
90 points Wine Enthusiast
For the past several years, Duval's Plexus has been remarkably consistent in quality. The only indication here that 2008 was a difficult vintage (because of the heat) is this wine's creamy immediacy, which suggests early consumption (now-2015). The blackberry fruit is fresh and briary, spiced with hints of cedar and vanilla; lush and long on the finish. (12/ 2010) 
                                             
Wine & Spirits
This is a warm Barossa blend of Shiraz (53 percent) with Grenache and Mourvedre. It's filled with spicy red raspberry jam flavors and some deeper blue fruit, a bloody, rich red for the grill. (10/ 2010)