Awards, Ratings & Reviews
95/100 — Andrew Caillard MW · The Vintage Journal
"A beautifully composed Barossa GSM with superb fruit definition, silky texture and impressive balance, combining richness with elegance."
94/100 — Halliday Wine Companion
"A polished blend of old-vine Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvèdre showing dark plum, boysenberry, spice, earth and finely textured tannins. Plush, vibrant and beautifully balanced."
94/100 — The Wine Front
"Blackberry, dark cherry, cocoa and baking spices with grainy dark chocolate tannins and excellent length. Rich, plush and beautifully balanced."
About This Wine
The 2023 John Duval Plexus Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre is the flagship GSM blend from John Duval Wines and the very first wine released by John following his celebrated career as Penfolds Chief Winemaker. Named after the Latin word meaning "a combination of elements into a coherent structure," Plexus has become one of Australia's benchmark Barossa GSM blends and is recognised in the Langton's Classification of Australian Wine.
The 2023 vintage was influenced by a third consecutive La Niña season, providing excellent soil moisture, healthy vineyards and one of the latest harvests in recent memory. The cool growing conditions produced fruit with outstanding aromatic purity, freshness and natural balance. Old-vine Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvèdre were sourced from renowned Barossa subregions including Krondorf, Marananga, Ebenezer, Tanunda, Moppa and Light Pass, delivering exceptional depth and regional complexity.
Each parcel was fermented separately in small open fermenters, with a portion of the Grenache incorporating whole bunches to enhance savoury complexity and aromatic lift. The wine was matured for approximately 15 months in French oak hogsheads, with a small proportion of new oak and the balance in seasoned barrels, preserving fruit purity while adding texture and subtle spice.
The bouquet is vibrant and expressive, revealing aromas of blackberry, black cherry and ripe plum layered with raspberry, cinnamon, woodsy spice and subtle smoky oak. The palate is medium- to full-bodied, offering generous layers of black and red fruits supported by savoury spice, fine velvety tannins and bright natural acidity. The finish is long, pure and beautifully balanced, combining Barossa richness with elegance and freshness.
Approachable now with decanting, the 2023 Plexus will continue to evolve gracefully over the next 10–15 years.
Specifications
Vintage: 2023
Grape Variety: Grenache / Shiraz / Mourvèdre
Region: Barossa Valley, South Australia
Sweetness: Dry
Maturation: Approximately 15 months in French oak hogsheads (small proportion new)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screw Cap
Drinking Window: 2025–2038
