2003 John Duval Plexus Red

John Duval Wines was started by John Duval, who was winemaker at Penfolds for 29 years. Duval was at the helm of Penfolds winemaking team during the late 1980s and 1990s when Penfolds won numerous international awards for its outstanding Shiraz. He is also involved currently with winemaking ventures in Chile and Washington State. In 2003 he started his own label, focusing on Shiraz, Grenache, and red and white blends inspired by the wines of Rhone Valley. James Halliday has given the winery his highest rating of five stars and noted that Duval “is an internationally recognized winemaker.” The wines have earned ratings in the 90s.

South Australia is the nation’s most important wine region. South Australia is to Australia what California is to the U.S. About half of Australia’s wine comes from South Australia and many of the country’s most acclaimed producers are there. Wineries based in South Australia include Penfolds Grange, Torbreck, Amon Ra, Henschke and Jacob’s Creek. The prestigious Barossa Valley is located in South Australia, and is often compared to Napa Valley because it is gorgeous topography covered in grape vines. First farmed by 19th century German-speakers who immigrated from what is now Poland, the Barossa Valley is the crown jewel of the region. South Australia has widely varying climates, from very hot, dry areas to cooler, high altitude areas. There are more than 150,000 acres of vineyards in South Australia, with more being planted each month. Shiraz is king, though the region also produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Mourvedre, Chardonnay and Semillon.