2018 John Duval Plexus Red Barossa Valley Australia

With over 35 years of winemaking brilliance, John Duval is one of Australia's most celebrated legends. In 2010, wine critic Robert Parker hailed him as an "Australian Wine Legend," a title that speaks to his unmatched influence on the world of wine.

The Duval name has a deep, rich history in Australian winemaking, with family vineyards in South Australia supplying grapes to the country’s finest producers for over a century. Today, John Duval Wines carries this proud legacy, rooted in vineyards that date back to the second half of the 19th century. With more than five generations of winemaking expertise, Duval’s visionary approach transformed his family's grape-growing tradition into one of the most renowned labels in the industry.

After studying at the University of Adelaide in 1973, Duval’s journey began at the iconic Penfolds winery. By 1986, he became the third winemaker in Penfolds' history, apprenticing under legends Don Ditter and Max Schubert, the masterminds behind the world-famous "Grange." Duval played a pivotal role in elevating Penfolds to international acclaim. During his 29 years there, he received accolades like UK Wine & Spirit’s International Winemaker of the Year, Red Winemaker of the Year (twice), and Wine Spectator's coveted Wine of the Year award.

In 2003, John Duval launched his own label with “Plexus”, a masterful blend of Shiraz, Grenache, and Mourvèdre. Rich in fruit, complex, and perfectly balanced, this wine offers depth and a lasting finish.

Plexus combines Shiraz from Krondorf, Ebenezer, and Eden Valley, Grenache from Tanunda and Ebenezer, and Mourvèdre from Paso de la Luz. All sourced from century-old vines, this classic Australian blend captures the essence of its legendary terroir.

Not just an Australian rockstar, Duval’s influence extends globally. He’s also a consulting winemaker at Viña Ventisquero in Chile’s Apalta Valley and a partner at Longshadows in Washington State.

Aging: 15 months, 10% in new fine grain French oak.