2019 Sons of Eden Zephyrus Shiraz

Sons of Eden is a partnership between winemaker Corey Ryan and viticulturist Simon Cowham who both learnt their trades in the vineyards and cellars of Eden Valley. The name of this wine is taken from Zephyrus, the Greek god of the west wind who is often depicted as a horse. The vineyards of the Barossa are regularly buffeted by cooling Westerly winds creating an ideal temperature range in which to slowly ripen Shiraz. The 2019 Zephyrus is a blend of 11 different Shiraz parcels located throughout a wide range of vineyard sites within the cooler climate Eden Valley (62%) and warmer Barossa Valley (38%) regions. The vines are aged between 20-60 years old. Each parcel of fruit was fermented with varying levels of whole-bunch fruit clusters (between 10% to 25%). Maturation took place in a mix of new (40%) and seasoned French oak hogsheads for a period of 12 months.

Rich, detailed and gloriously long.

Magnificent saturation of colour featuring an inky black heart along with a very deep dark red black hue. Wafting from the glass are intoxicating scents of dark plum, blackberry and liquorice which meld into subtlety smoked vanillin cedar, hints of dark chocolate, fennel and spice. Bold, expressive and deep, surging across the palate with formidable power and richness are lavish dark plum, blackberry and liquorice fruits. Lying in their wake are subtle notions of dark chocolate, vanillin cedar, fennel and delicate pepper. Opulently textured, velvety tannins are complimented by an underlying freshness. Concludes long and seductive.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 14.5%

Other Reviews….
61/39% Eden/Barossa Valleys; 10–40% whole bunches; 15 months in French hogsheads (40% new). Deeply coloured; a finely structured wine of great class as befits the vintage, the whole bunches lifting the red-fruit aromatics on the predominantly blackberry/black cherry foundations. Drink by 2039.
97 points
James Halliday’s Top 100 2021