Sons of Eden 2015 Shiraz release inc. superb ’15 Remus

Here’s a producer that consistently overperforms in the value stakes.

Sons of Eden is the brand of ex-Pinnacle Drinks/Dorrien Estate winemaker Corey Ryan and noted grapegrower and viticulturist Simon Cowham (ex-Yalumba) – two well-known figures in the Barossa that have a surprisingly low profile elsewhere.

Utilising Cowham’s 60ha of family vineyards spread throughout the Eden and Barossa Valleys (plus a few select growers), they’ve taken Sons of Eden from what was largely a side project into what is now an expanding wine business, complete with a range hitting multiple pricepoints (including a speccy $350 Eden Valley Shiraz).

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When you look at the experience of these two it makes absolute sense why the wines are so good – highly qualified, accomplished wine people with great vineyard resources to call on. They’ve just been putting their effort into other companies brands previously, and only devoting their time exclusively to Sons of Eden over the last year or so (Corey left Pinnacle mid last year from what I can gather).

From what was a warm, dry, super-condensed vintage in the Barossa that caught out lots of other makers (I worked ’15 in the Barossa, it was tricky), these are very smart wines.

Sons of Eden Eden Valley Remus Shiraz 2015

Violet purple, if less lurid purple when placed next to the Romulus. There’s real complexity here in that true Eden Valley way, with wafts of black pepper, blueberry fruit and then blackberry aplenty. Every glance throws up another layer of powerful purple fruit and more, the alcohol surprisingly integrated, the tannins light but not soft. Classy wine in a very classic, carefully contained purple fruit power Eden Valley mode. Best drinking: 2017-2032. 18.5/20, 94/100. 14.5%, $80. Would I buy it? Yes.

Sons of Eden Romulus Shiraz 2015

Violet purple. Very bright. Gummy purple berry fruit and cosseting vanilla oak. She is plush! Lovely purple fruit. It’s extremely soft and rounded, a beautifully rounded flow of luscious fruit. That said, it lacks the detail this year, the lovely flow just a bit too smooth edged and warm finish. Hedonistic, but seems to be just missing the top notes to propel it above the slightly more complex Remus. Easy to like though and classy wine. Best drinking: 2017-2030. 18/20, 93/100. 14.5%, $80. Would I buy it? I’d take the Remus.

Sons of Eden Kennedy GSM 2015

Ah delicious. Lovely bright red Grenache fruit with raspberry and a little sandy edge. Really vibrant, presents the brightness of a Grenache dominant style, with just a little more acid bite this year. Again an absolute winner. So cheap for the absolute quality. Best drinking: 2017-2025. 17.7/20, 92/100. 14.5%, $29 (and available for much less if you shop around). Would I buy it? In a flash.

Sons of Eden Zephyrus Shiraz 2015

Glossy purple fruit. Licoricey and lifted. Just a bit warm and rounded to really push forward, though there is a great flow of purple fruit and perfectly smooth. It’s just a bit too ripe and fruit juicy forward to be great, but again hedonistic fun and I have no doubt others will like it even more than me. In other words, quality, just not my preferred style. Best drinking: 2017-2025. 17.7/20, 92/100. 14.5%, $45. Would I buy it? I’d prefer the Kennedy personally.