2021 Plexus Barossa Shiraz/Grenache/Mourvèdre, John Duval

• Style: Muscular Barossa blend, dark fruit and spice
• Taste: Black cherry, cinnamon, smoke; velvety tannins, vibrant acidity
• Food: Beef, barbecue, grilled dishes, stews, game
• Occasion: Sunday lunch, date night, roast dinners
• Serve: Now, no cellaring required; 14.5% ABV, bone dry

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Lifted black-fruit depth meets savoury restraint. The 2021 Plexus opens with vibrant dark berry, cinnamon and smoke, then unfolds into generous red and black fruit layered with spice and fine, velvety tannins. Bright acidity (6.6g/L) and soft structure make this a wine for the table, not the cellar—it drinks beautifully now without years in bottle needed. Bone dry at 0.45g/L residual sugar, this muscular blend avoids the overripe heaviness that once defined warm-climate Barossa, instead delivering purity and power in balance.

The Winery — John Duval Wines

John Duval, sixth-generation South Australian grape grower and former Chief Winemaker at Penfolds where he crafted landmark Grange vintages, founded his label in 2003 to honour family heritage through grower partnerships and old-vine championing. The 2021 Plexus reflects this philosophy: Shiraz sourced from venerable Krondorf and Tanunda blocks, Grenache from Moppa, Greenock, Ebenezer and Tanunda, and Mourvèdre from Ebenezer and Light Pass. Each parcel fermented separately in open stainless steel with submerged caps—a portion of Grenache whole-bunch to build savoury depth—then married in French oak (new and older hogsheads) for structure without domination. The exceptional 2021 vintage saw cool, dry March ripening that matured tannins while preserving freshness, bottled at 14.5% ABV with screwcap for reliability.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

Built for grilled beef, barbecued ribs, aged hard cheeses, stews and braises, and roast dinners, this wine thrives at the Sunday table or across a date-night meal. The velvety tannin structure and dark-fruit generosity stand up to charred meat and savoury depth without demanding patience in the cellar. Vegetarian and vegan friendly. Explore our curated Syrah & Shiraz selection, or discover what modern warm-climate winemaking achieves across Australia, particularly in the Barossa Valley, where the 2021 vintage reached exceptional heights.