95 points - "Deep crimson. Intense musky plum, dark cherry aromas with lifted floral notes. Smooth and velvety wine with abundant musky dark plummy, dark cherry fruits, grainy textures and integrated roasted walnut, mocha notes. Lovely density and vigour." - Andrew Caillard MW (The Vintage Journal)

94 points - "This year's Plexus release sees a blend of shiraz (43%), grenache (41%) and mourvèdre (16%) from across a number of the parishes of the Barossa. Lovely dark plum and boysenberry fruits with hints of cherry clafoutis, dark chocolate, roasting meats, clover blossom, softly spoken cedar and vanillin and earth. Supple and pure with fine gravelly tannins and a minerally cadence showing plum, spice and mocha tones at the tail." - Dave Brookes (Halliday Wine Companion)

94 points - "Blackberry, dark cherry, cocoa, baking spices, freshly lathed wood, something a little exotic in the mix too with its discreet incense-like perfume. It’s medium to full-bodied, plush and fleshy, with grainy dark chocolate tannin, and a rich plummy finish of excellent length and powdery grip. Balanced with flavour, is how I’d sum it up. Just over the line for 94 points, I reckon." - Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

94 points - "The 2022 Plexus comprises 43% Shiraz, 41% Grenache and 16% Mourvèdre (a.k.a. Mataro). This is the most Grenache that has ever been included in the Plexus, and 2022 was a beautiful season for that variety. "It's always an SGM," says winemaker John Duval. "The Shiraz helps it age in the cellar." On the nose, you get black fruits and exotic spice, layers of forest berries and brine. On the palate, the wine is sweetly fruited and brilliantly fresh. It has an earthy textural bedrock presumably from the Mataro, which grounds the fruit. The tannins are a highlight here. There are some very old vineyards that add to this cuvee, four at over 100 years old, and perhaps these assist with the tannic complexity. A portion of the fruit is from the Hoffmann Vineyard: Shiraz Dallwitz block, Church Block Mataro and 65-year-old dry-grown Grenache. This is a sensational release. Really good. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap." - Erin Larkin (The Wine Advocate)

93 points - "This is mellow and chocolatey with dark cherries, ripe plums, cocoa beans and cooking spices. Medium- to full-bodied with grainy tannins that are velvety and soft. It is weighty and mouth-filling with delicious fruit and a succulent finish. Shiraz, grenache and mourvedre. Drink or hold. Screw cap." - James Suckling

BACKGROUND
Our affinity for working with old vine Barossa Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvédre began with John’s time at Penfolds, and continues with this wine - the first to be released by John Duval Wines’ from our inaugural vintage in 2003. The aim of Plexus is to express a wide spectrum of fruit flavours, whilst ensuring seamless integration of the contrasting characters of the three varietals. Shiraz provides rich dark fruits and mid palate weight, whilst Grenache delivers a bright flavour spectrum of red fruits and spiced notes. Old vine Mourvèdre is integral to the blend, ensuring a good firm backbone of savoury tannin and a long finish.