In 2002 John Duval left Penfolds after 29 years (17 as Chief Winemaker) and established his own, eponymous label. Plexus Shiraz Grenache Mourvèdre (first vintage 2003) was the inaugural John Duval Wines release. As Duval says: in a region (the Barossa Valley) that boasts the oldest Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvèdre vines in the world, I decided to focus on this famous Barossa Valley blend. Plexus is typically 50% Shiraz, 30% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre. Shiraz provides the blackberry core and structural backbone. Old vine, low yielding Grenache (some over 100 years old) provides aromatics and texture. Old vine, low yielding Mourvèdre (the oldest well over 100 years old) add savoury, spice and earthy notes. Stylistically, Duval is not aiming for the fruit bomb, high alcohol interpretation; rather Plexus aims to be a respectful, elegant expression of very old Barossa Valley vineyards. Plexus sees 100% barrel maturation in 300 litre French oak hogsheads (only 10% new). While drinking well as a young wine, Plexus matures well, showing a complex array of savoury and mature berry notes and a generous core of sweet fruit and soft tannins.