Awards, Ratings & Reviews
94/100 — Halliday Wine Companion · 2024 Vintage
"A bright, savoury blend of 53/28/19% Marananga Marsanne, Kalimna Roussanne and Eden Valley Viognier. Citrus, stone fruits and poached pear with hints of crème fraîche, meadow flowers, crushed stone, slivered almonds, ginger spice and ozone. Beautifully balanced, textural and energetic."
About This Wine
The 2024 John Duval Plexus White is a Rhône-inspired blend of Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier, crafted to showcase texture, purity and elegance rather than overt richness. Produced by John Duval Wines, this distinctive white blend reflects John Duval's philosophy of creating balanced, food-friendly wines that express both variety and place.
The 2024 vintage marked a return to a classic Barossa growing season following several cooler La Niña years. Healthy vineyards, excellent soil moisture and near-perfect harvest conditions allowed each variety to ripen evenly, resulting in wines with vibrant aromatics, beautiful texture and outstanding natural balance. The blend comprises 53% Marsanne from Marananga, 28% Roussanne from Kalimna, and 19% Viognier from Eden Valley, bringing together the best attributes of each vineyard and variety.
Winemaking focused on preserving freshness while building palate texture. Gentle pressing was followed by cool fermentation, primarily in stainless steel. A portion of the Marsanne completed fermentation and matured in French oak puncheons, while the remaining Marsanne and Roussanne were aged on lees in tank to enhance mouthfeel. Around 20% of the final blend matured in fine-grained French oak for seven months, adding subtle complexity without overwhelming the fruit.
The bouquet is vibrant and expressive, revealing aromas of pear, Fuji apple, white flowers and citrus blossom with hints of ginger and delicate spice. The palate is medium-bodied and beautifully textured, offering layers of yellow pear, quince, mandarin and stone fruit supported by fresh acidity and a gentle mineral edge. Fine oak integration and lees ageing provide creaminess and length, leading to a long, savoury finish.
Designed to be enjoyed in its youth while retaining the structure to develop additional complexity over several years, the 2024 Plexus White is an outstanding companion to seafood, roast chicken, creamy pasta and Mediterranean cuisine.
Specifications
Vintage: 2024
Grape Variety: 53% Marsanne / 28% Roussanne / 19% Viognier
Region: Barossa Valley & Eden Valley, South Australia
Sweetness: Dry
Maturation: 20% matured for 7 months in French oak puncheons; balance aged on lees in stainless steel
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screw Cap
Drinking Window: 2025–2032
