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)

John Duval Entity Shiraz 2009 Barossa Valley Australia

John Duval Entity Shiraz 2009

A deep ruby core has exciting and complex aromas of black and red berry fruits, spice, tobacco and a hint of game. The aromas lead to similar flavours on the palate with spice and mint intermingled with the vibrant elegant fruit, the fine etched tannins have a savoury grip and act as structural support for the body of the wine, underpinned by fresh acidity underwrites this wines longevity. The alcohol at 14.5% seems well tucked in and enriches the wine which is not overawed by its strength. This wine has elegance and freshness, careful making has made this wine what it is - enjoy it for some time to come. You can buy this from Slurp at £24.90 or the 2008 from Divine Wine at £21.95 - do!

Score : 90

Other reviews.

96pts “Crimson-purple; the perfumed bouquet proclaims the class of the wine, it’s array of blackberry, plum and spice fruit duly delivered on the medium-bodied palate; silky tannins and quality oak complete the picture.”
James Halliday, 2012 The Wine Companion
93pts “Bright purple. Black raspberry, cherry and violet on the nose, complicated by bitter chocolate, minerals and cracked pepper. Juicy and precise, with strong spicy lift to its red berry compote flavors. Not an overly rich style of shiraz, but offers a silky texture and serious depth of flavor. Finishes long, with fine-grained tannins and lingering red fruit and pepper notes.”
Josh Raynolds , Steven Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar – New York July 2011

 

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.

The 2009 vintage was very successful with some excellent wines made. After the extreme temperature of the second half of the 2008 vintage average, rainfall over winter and follow up rains of 100mm in November and December replenished water reserves. This was followed by a period of hot weather in late January, lasting through to early February. Conditions from then on were favourable with no extreme heat and little rain until late April. Vintage started two weeks later than 2007 and 2008 with yields generally down. Shiraz yields were particularly down, the lowest since 2003. 

 

Traditional, low intervention winemaking techniques were employed with Entity. Fermentation was with submerged cap in both traditional old open and small stainless steel fermenters. The wine underwent 100% barrel maturation for 18 months, with 39% in new fine grain French oak and the balance in two, three and four year old French oak hogsheads (300 litres).

 

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 Valley Shiraz: 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. Many of the wines have

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chateau Romanin Les Baux de Provence 2004

Chateau Romanin Les Baux de Provence 2004 is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Carbernet Sauvignon and Mourvedre, and as expected it is a deep colour with only some garnet to interrupt its ruby core ( this is a wine with some age - more garnet would have been expected), the beautiful rich aromas of dark cherry, milk chocolate and some dried fruits ( currant and sultana) hint at its age and quality.
On the palate the wine is dry but with abundant dark fruits and a minty dried fruit edge, the tannins are drying and gripping with a gum coating quality - and this was not expected in this age of wine - once more showing its ageability! The length was long and had a sweet dried fruit finish.
Château Romanin is located on the northern slope of the Alpilles, the mountain bordering the Mediterranean in Provence. There are some 58 hectares of vineyards on the property, made up of the usual southern French red and white varieties. It’s been certified biodynamic (with Demeter) since 1998.
A quality wine with much to offer, the price is £20.50 from Nicolas.
Score : 95

Domaine la Suffrène Bandol Rouge 2008 Provence, France

Domaine la Suffrène Bandol Rouge 2008 is a blend of Mouvedre, Cinsault and Carignan made by Cedric Gravier on the 45 hectares in Bandol ( across the communes of La Cadière d'Azur and Castellet) which is in the south of Provence. The vines are trained traditionally Gobolet style, green harvesting is used to limit the yield and ensure high quality grapes. The deep, deep ruby core and narrow purple rim,  smack of a quality wine which has been carefully made, abundant concentrated aromas of black juicy fruits including Black Cherries and a smattering of sweet spice with maybe a hint of Provencal Herbs ( or is this just my romantic imagination) tempt you in, and once tasted all that it promised comes true. It is dry and savoury but has a well structured array of fruits and tannins to support them and acidity to keep this well balanced palate fresh and alive. The dark fruits have spice intermingled with them, as well as leather and a savoury edge, the tannins grippy and tasty lead you to a long finish of dark fruits, leather and spice, alot to do with the prescence of Mourvedre!
The vineyards in the Bandol region are steep and hot - allowing the Mourvedre to ripen producing deep complex wines.
Supplied by Slurp at a cost of £16.55.
Score : 94