John Duval Plexus Barossa GSM, 2015

This blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre is an Australian Chateauneuf du Pape made in the modern rather than traditional style. As a lover of Chateauneuf, I would never be fooled by this wine, should I taste it blind, but I am impressed by the Australian wine John Duval has created.

Much darker than a traditional Chateauneuf, even some purplish tints. Very deep and beautiful fruit, mostly red (strawberries, red raspberries) but also some black currant and berries from the Shiraz. At this stage, each fruit delivers its unique profile but I'm sure they will blend nicely with time in the bottle. French oak spice and some herbal and floral notes as well. Firm tannins but very drinkable right now. 

John Duval is the former winemaker at Penfolds who created many vintage of the fabled and expensive Grange. By comparison, this wine now $34 a bottle at D&W in Kalamazoo, is a bargain.