John Duval ‘Plexus’ GSM
Region: Barossa, South Australia
Viticulture: Conventional
Winemaker: John Duval
Established Date: 2003
For over 100 years the Duval family supplied grapes to South Australia’s best winemakers. Knowledge of the vineyard handed down through five generations, allied with a 30 year career at the pinnacle of Australian winemaking, are the foundations of John Duval Wines. The wine is made from fruit sourced exclusively from exceptional old Barossa vineyards. The aim with Plexus is to express the wide spectrum of red fruit flavours from Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvèdre and also provide structure with a seamless balance and long finish. Traditional, low intervention winemaking techniques are employed allowing the wine to be approachable in its youth, but also cellar for 8-10 years.
Sommelier’s Recommendation
John Duval’s take on the Southern Rhone blend is exceptional. You can taste his passion in the bottle. This GSM can be drank now but will certainly reward someone for cellaring further.
Established in the second half of the 19th century at Morphett Vale to the south of Adelaide, five generations of the Duval family managed their vineyards and operated a world famous sheep stud. The vineyards supplied Shiraz grapes and vine cuttings to Penfolds. From 1974 over the next 12 years, John was mentored by Grange creator Max Schubert and Penfolds Chief Winemaker Don Ditter, before himself assuming the position of Chief Winemaker in 1986.
After 29 years at Penfolds John sensed the need to embark on a personal wine project. A new challenge that would allow him to be involved first hand from vineyard to glass, and provide an opportunity to build something for his family. John Duval Wines began in 2003. Rather than seeking to simply emulate Penfolds, the aim of John Duval Wines is to perpetuate the story of a South Australian wine family through a collection of structured and elegant wines made from fruit grown in exceptional old Barossa vineyards.
After 29 years at Penfolds John sensed the need to embark on a personal wine project. A new challenge that would allow him to be involved first hand from vineyard to glass, and provide an opportunity to build something for his family. John Duval Wines began in 2003. Rather than seeking to simply emulate Penfolds, the aim of John Duval Wines is to perpetuate the story of a South Australian wine family through a collection of structured and elegant wines made from fruit grown in exceptional old Barossa vineyards.
