John Duval

John Duval is an internationally recognised winemaker, having been the custodian of Penfolds Grange for almost 30 years as part of his role as chief red winemaker at Penfolds. These days John is concentrating on his own brand, and providing consultancy services to clients in various parts of the world. On the principle if not broken, dont fix, he is basing his business on shiraz and shiraz blends from old-vine vineyards in the Barossa Valley. The brand name Plexus denotes combining the different elements of shiraz/grenache/mourvedre into a coherent structure. JAMES HALLIDAY

I wonder how many big, big company winemakers would finish up their high profile roles to then follow up with a project that feels as personal as John Duval’s. Unswervingly seeking ‘elegant’ expressions of the Barossa Valley and without aping the previous generation of work at Penfold’s.  MIKE BENNIE winefront.com.au