2004 Plexus Red

Former Penfolds’ winemaking guru, John Duval, continues to demonstrate a brilliant touch with French oak-aged Shiraz. The 2004 Plexus, a proprietary blend of 49% Shiraz, 27% Grenache, and the rest Mourvedre, offers a dense ruby/purple color along with a rich, sumptuous bouquet of blueberries, tree bark, earth, pepper, and background floral scents. Fabulous fruit on the attack follows through to the full-bodied, opulent, rich mid-palate. With good underlying acidity as well as sweet but noticeable tannin, it should drink beautifully for a decade or more. Importer: Gavin Speight, Old Bridge Cellars, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 258-9552

(49% shiraz, 27% grenache and 24% mourvedre) Inky violet with a bright rim. Brilliantly focused aromas of blackberry, cassis pastille, bitter chocolate, black cardamom and violet. A remarkably pure, vibrant midweight, whose dark fruit flavors offer lovely clarity and lightness as well as superb concentration. The dark chocolate note takes charge on the finish, which features dusty, very fine tannins and a lingering note of kirsch John Duval again shows a deft hand with this blend, and at an amazing price compared to the legendary vintages of Grange he crafted.