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March 29, 2020 Newsletter

COVID-19

• These are challenging times, with many people either not working, or working from home. An important message might be that we thank all the people who are continuing to work in essential activities and of our need to support these heroes by self-isolating when called for and social distancing ourselves at all times. When possible, we also need to reach out to people who require assistance and help them without compromising our own health. This pandemic will only be contained by everyone respecting the above and by washing hands when called for, which is a lot, and sanitizing hard surfaces in daily use. Consider not shopping in stores if there’s an online and home-delivery plan or any other safe, affordable option. Stay healthy, stay safe, stay home.

Winecurrent’s journey continues taking you to Australian wineries with special attributes located in the Barossa. Vic took a lengthy tour through the vineyards of Sons of Eden winery then tasted through a fabulous line up of their fine wines. Read wine reviews and learn how they make these sustainably farmed, premium wines. For starters, the two owners have 50 years of successful experience between them in the Barossa and in particular, Eden Valley. See wine reviews and learn much more here.

Exceptional-value wine – 10 of the 38 wines in this newsletter meet strict quality-price guidelines. The wines range from $13.95 to $45.95 and are easily identified throughout the newsletter via the value checkmark above.
95 points and over - one wine that's now available rang the 95 and over bell. 2017 Elderton Barossa Shiraz earned 95 points @ $24.95 found under Australia: Red Wine; You will also find 4 of the 7 wines reviewed in the Sons of Eden feature also scored 95 and over, though none are guaranteed to arrive at Vintages or in Classics Catalogue down the track.
Lisa Likes – 2018 Flat Rock Cellars Chardonnay earned 89 points @ $19.95 found under Ontario: Red Wine; 2015 Tawse Winery ‘Cuddy by Tawse’ Cabernet Merlot earned 89 points @ $27.95 found under Ontario: Red Wine.
Louise Loves – 2016 André Brunel ‘Cuvée Sabrine’ Côtes-du-Rhône Villages earned 92 points @ $16.95 found under France: Red Wine; 2015 Boasso ‘Comune di Serralunga’ Barolo earned 92 points @ $39.95 found under Italy: Red Wine; 2014 Vineland Estates Winery ‘Elevation - Bo-Teek Vineyard’ Cabernets earned 90 points @ $28.00 found under New in Ontario Wineries.
Vic Picks – 2018 Featherstone Estate Winery ‘Four Feathers’ earned 90 points at $14.95 found under Ontario: White Wine; 2018 Sons of Eden ‘Freya’ Riesling earned 93 points @ $19.95 found in the Sons of Eden Feature; 2018 Vineland Estates Winery Cabernet Franc earned 91 points @ $14.95 found under New in Ontario Wineries.

Vintages Release: April 4, 2020

Fortified Wine: Sherry

89
Williams & Humbert ‘Walnut Brown - Rare Old Brown’ Oloroso Non-Vintage
 DO Jerez, Spain $14.95 (437467) 19.5% alcohol
 What a treat - what a bargain. Dark amber with tinges of green on the edges; the aromas are divine—Oloroso means ‘scented’ in Spanish—with dark raisin, caramel and fig predominant. Warm and sweet on the palate, look for the aromas to follow through to flavours plus some lovely spice and nutty notes. The long sweet finish of this dessert wine cries out for spiced nut cake or ginger snaps. (Vic Harradine)

Sparkling Wine

89
 Nino Franco ‘Brut’ Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
 DOCG Veneto $23.95 (349662) 11.0% alcohol
 Citrus, mango and apricot introduce this light-on-its-feet prosecco. Look for lifted flavours of soft citrus—blood orange and lemon—intertwined with ripe melon on the palate, finish and aftertaste. This is a perfect bubbly when looking for a delicate, non-intrusive, sparkling wine. It also serves as an aperitif. (Vic Harradine)

Ontario: White Wine

90
 Featherstone Estate Winery ‘Four Feathers’ 2018
 VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (341586) 12.5% alcohol
 This incredibly popular aromatic white blend—61% riesling/18% gewürztraminer/13% sauvignon blanc/8% chardonnay—has a large following, it delivers in spades, vintage after vintage. Aromas of rosewater, lime and peach set the table for a smorgasbord of perfectly balanced, delicious palate flavours with Key lime, crisp green apple and lemon pie filling to the fore. It’s medium bodied, creamy smooth and lingers on the finish – balanced and mouth-watering good. Sip on its own or pour alongside pan-seared fish like salmon or trout, or thin-crust, lightly dressed three-cheese—brie, mozzarella, chèvre—white pizza. (Vic Harradine)

89
 Flat Rock Cellars Chardonnay 2018
 VQA Twenty Mile Bench (286278) $19.95 13.0% alcohol
 This Vintages Essentials, cool-climate chardonnay is produced with hand-picked and hand-sorted grapes, fermented with natural yeast in barrel and spent about 12 months in French oak, 23% new, prior to bottling. Aromas of red apple, peach and pear with hints of honeysuckle and spice repeat on the tasty palate. Dry, medium-light bodied with a clean texture, ripe orchard fruit flavours and a citrus note flow into the medium-long finish. Enjoy this value-laden white with roast chicken. (Lisa Isabelle)

Ontario: Red Wine

89
 Tawse Winery ‘Cuddy by Tawse’ Cabernet Merlot 2015
 VQA Niagara Peninsula $27.95 (469031) 13.5% alcohol
 Tawse has partnered with one of Canada’s iconic musicians, Jim Cuddy, to produce this blend of 70% cabernet sauvignon and 30% merlot, aged 18 months in French oak. Ripe dark fruit aromas meld with hints of cedar, pipe tobacco, green pepper and sweet vanilla on the nose. Blackberry, dark plum and raspberry flavours reappear on the palate layered with herb and spice notes. Dry, medium-full bodied with firm tannins, the dark fruit lasts into the extended finish. Enjoy this tasty offering with braised lamb shanks with rosemary. (Lisa Isabelle)

90
 Featherstone Estate Winery Cabernet Franc 2017
 VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 (64618) 12.5% alcohol
 This is value-laden. Aromas of dark raspberry, pipe tobacco and peppery spice introduce palate flavours of tangy, crunchy red fruit—currant, cherry and plum—adorned with hints of herbal notes and soft ripe tannin. It finishes balanced, polished and lengthy. It’s medium weight with good texture and plenty of options at the table, grilled meats, burgers or ribs, red sauce, meat-laden pizza, boeuf Bourguignon or lamb tagine. (Vic Harradine)

• The following Tawse ‘Growers Blend’ Pinot Noir is a Vintages Essentials product always available in select stores. This is a blend from hand-harvested fruit from select vineyards across the Niagara wine region matured 14 months in French oak barrels before bottling and release.

90
 Tawse ‘Growers Blend’ Pinot Noir 2016
 VQA Niagara Peninsula $25.95 (130989) 13.0% alcohol
 A lightly-hued red in the glass, it offers delicate aromas of piquant spice, cedar and raspberry on the nose. It streaks over the palate with tang, tart and acidity borne of crunchy red fruit flavours—currant, pie cherry and passionfruit—along with wisps of sharp spice. I enjoyed the tart acidity and am confident that with a pasta in tomato sauce, red pizza or lasagne pairing, most others will, too. (Vic Harradine)

Argentina: Red Wine

91
 Luigi Bosca Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Reserve’ 2017
 Mendoza, Argentina $18.95 (128629) 13.8% alcohol
 This mellow 100% cabernet sauvignon, from vines averaging 40 years-old and aged 14 months in French and American oak, opens the door to an intense nose of ripe blackberry, blueberry, green pepper, black peppercorn and graphite. Silky soft on the palate, it showcases concentrated flavours of dark ripe fruit, dry cherry, kirsch liqueur, dry sage and a heartwarming peppery note showing up mid-palate persisting in the splendid dry savoury finish. It’s totally enjoyable to sip on its own or poured alongside herb-marinated, grilled flank steak. (Louise Boutin)

88
 Susana Balbo ‘Críos’ Malbec 2018
 Uco Valley, Mendoza $15.95 (162529) 14.0% alcohol
 With its opaque plum appearance, it appears ink-like in the glass. There are hints of earth, dry moss and vanilla aromas on the nose. It’s medium bodied with a very pleasant balance of acidity interwoven with flavours of coffee, plum and strawberry. The tannins appear in the background on the palate then grow to dominate the finish, suggesting that this wine will benefit from a year or two in the cellar. It’s a good match for grilled beef burgers. (Dave Isaacs)

Australia: White Wine

• The following 2018 Sons of Eden ‘Freya’ Riesling was 72% sourced from two cool-climate Eden Valley vineyards of forty-year and older vines with the remaining sourced from a vineyard of twenty-year-old vines in the even cooler ‘High Eden’ sub region with the average yield 2.3 tonnes/acre of early-morning, hand-harvested fruit. It was then whole-bunch and berry pressed, settled cold and racked clear then cool fermented for up to three weeks before finishing quite dry then held on its lees for an additional three weeks before bottling. No wonder it’s so incredibly interesting and absolutely delicious.

93
Sons of Eden ‘Freya’ Riesling 2018
Eden Valley, South Australia $19.95 (12652) 12.5% alcohol
You can drink this value-packed riesling now or up to fifteen years from now after careful cellaring. Aromas of lime and white flower notes on the nose provide segue to a delightful wash of glorious tang expressed as Key lime pie, hints of passionfruit and grilled pineapple adorned with lemon curd. It’s creamy smooth with good weight, excellent balance and lengthy crisp, clean and refreshing finish and aftertaste. Pour alongside steamed mussels or grilled calamari. (Vic Harradine)

Australia: Red Wine

• The following 2017 Elderton Barossa Shiraz was sourced from 100% estate-grown shiraz from the best parcels of three vineyards in different sub regions—40% Greenock/30% Nuriootpa/30% Craneford—with vine age from 24 years to 123 years. It matured 24 months in predominantly 2nd- and 3rd- fill, 500L American oak puncheons.

• Vic had the pleasure of tasting this recently at the cellar door in the Barossa Valley at the retail price of thirty Australian dollars per bottle making it more than the price below, even with the exchange.

95
Elderton Barossa Shiraz 2017
Barossa, South Australia $24.95 (713024) 14.5% alcohol
This wine speaks in general to the excellent wines produced by Elderton and specifically to the wonderful 2017 vintage—it’s exceptional value, rich, luscious, complex, age worthy and delicious. Lifted aromas of black fruit—plum, cherry and currant—leap from the glass mingling with savory herbs and mocha. It blankets the palate with flavours of wild bramble berry and hints of blueberry decorated with dark, bittersweet chocolate, sweet vanilla and peppery spice persisting through the lingering, balanced and beautiful finish. Drink now to 2032. (Vic Harradine)

France: Rosé Wine

89
 Gérard Bertrand ‘Perles de Grenache’ Rosé 2018
 IGP Pays d’Oc $18.95 (556209) 12.5% alcohol
 This good-value, 100% grenache rosé offers up aromas of floral notes, red cherry/berry fruit and spice. It pleases the palate with a light-medium weight river of slightly off-dry red berry fruit flavours that persist to the finish then add a dollop of tang to turn this dry and clean on the lingering aftertaste. This pours well with a deli board or grilled fish or shellfish. (Vic Harradine)

France: Red Wine

92
 André Brunel ‘Cuvée Sabrine’ Côtes-du-Rhône Villages 2016
 AOC Côtes-du-Rhône Villages, France $16.95 (538496) 14.0% alcohol
 This blend of 70% grenache, 20% syrah, 10% mourvèdre is hand harvested from vines averaging 60-years-old and is a treat for the nose—ripe dark fruit, baking spice, violet, dry tobacco aromas and a fresh minty note. It’s a medium-full bodied red matured 18 months in concrete vats then blended and aged an additional six months before bottling. A cool and supple stream of ripe blackberry, black cherry, cassis and black olive flavours travel the palate with ease and enjoyment along with savoury herb and black pepper notes persisting in the medium-length, warm, dry finish. This is a great partner to roasted lamb or red pizza with black olives. (Louise Boutin)

Italy: Red Wine

92
Boasso ‘Comune di Serralunga’ Barolo 2015
DOCG Barolo, Italy $39.95 (109116) 14.5% alcohol
This is a traditionally crafted 100% nebbiolo from the prestigious Serralunga area, aged 36 months in new oak casks with an additional six months of bottle settling and maturation. Elegant and perfumed, fresh rose aromas charm the nose together with red cherry, licorice, fennel seed and a touch of nutmeg. On the palate, a tart stream of red fruit flavours with delicate anise and savoury notes express themselves among still-evolving tannin and bright acidity. This full-bodied gem needs time to further evolve and merge the beautiful flavour palette it has to offer. If opened now, aeratedecant four hours and pair with grilled rare meat or aged cheese. (Louise Boutin)

Upstream in Winecurrent

Vintages Release: April 18, 2020

90
 Featherstone Sauvignon Blanc 2018
 VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 (89011) 13.0% alcohol
 This exceptional-value gem was 50% barrel fermented and 50% stainless steel fermented then racked off its lees before the last fining. Aromas of floral notes, kiwi fruit and yellow peach aromas waft easily from this creamy-smooth, medium-bodied sauvignon blanc. It envelops the palate with a flavourful stream of Key lime, nectarine and lemongrass notes. There are no rough edges as it finishes smooth, dry, crisp and refreshing. Pour with pasta in creamy pesto sauce. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: TBD

J. De Villebois Touraine Sauvignon Blanc 2019
AOP Touraine, France $TBD 13.0%
Get ready for aromatic intensity with this 100% sauvignon blanc from the Loire Valley. Exotic fruit aromas abound—papaya, mango and pineapple with a vegetal note and wet stone minerality as a backdrop. Six months of stainless steel ageing on fine lees bring a nice creamy texture to a crisp wash of lemon-lime flavours with a sweet touch of ripe gooseberry and a kick of white pepper in the delicious grassy and long mineral finish. Can’t help but suggesting a traditional pairing such as chèvre crostini sprinkled with roasted pistachio. Enjoy now. (Louise Boutin)

94
River’s Edge Winery ‘Barrel Select’ Pinot Noir 2016
Elkton, Oregon $31.95 (456764) 15.6% alcohol
This pinot is sourced from hand-harvested fruit and the result of blending the 28 best barrels, out of 140, after 11 months of French and American oak barrel maturation, 36% new. A nice medium-ruby shaded robe with a garnet rim showcases sweet smoke aromas of dry cherry, rose petal and cedar. This is expertly crafted with an impressive alcohol integration, leaving all the space to ripe red cherry and sweet blackberry surfing on a peppery and savoury silky-textured wave of flavours. Bolder than your usual pinot, without losing its varietal identity, it offers a long delectable balanced savoury and peppery finish. This will further evolve but it’s a real treat now alongside slowly-simmered pork osso bucco served on a bed of gnocchi. (Louise Boutin)

91
Broccardo ‘La Martina’ Barbera d’Alba 2018
DOC Barbera d’Alba, Italy $17.95 15.0% alcohol
Don’t be intimidated by this high-octane barbera displaying slow sliding tears on the glass. This is a fruit bomb with aromas of dark cherry pie-filling, rose water and fresh anise notes. This has excellent structure with a silky-soft textured wave of intense fruit flavours aligned with the aromas. Chalky-textured tannin and bright acidity ensure excellent structure and an enjoyable fruit-forward finish with a comforting warm feel. This is beautiful, medium-bodied barbera to pair with tourtière and pickled beets. (Louise Boutin)

89
Bartali Chianti Riserva 2016
DOCG Chianti, Italy $15.95 (541524) 13.0% alcohol
This medium-bodied 100% sangiovese is your go-to wine for spaghetti or pizza night. Great complexity on the nose with dry cherry, fennel seed, milk chocolate and leather aromas pleasing the senses. More focused on the palate with tart cherry and savoury herb flavours, it offers soft tannin, medium acidity and a nice warmth as it ends on dry oregano and green bell pepper notes. An excellent value to enjoy now. (Louise Boutin)

90
Corte Volponi Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 2017
DOC Valpolicella Ripasso, Italy $19.95 14.0% alcohol
A classic blend of corvina, corvinone and rondinella crafted as a valpolicella wine then going through a second fermentation when combined with Amarone and Reccioto pomaces leads to this value-laden, complex, very approachable red. Dark cherry, blackberry, a touch of violet, cedar and a blanket of forest floor aromas open the door to a fresh wash of ripe mixed-berry flavours sprinkled with freshly cracked black peppercorn. Tannins are soft before evolving to a grippier texture and prolonging the fruity and spiced, delectable finish. Pour alongside stuffed Portobello mushroom or herb-marinated grilled flank steak. (Louise Boutin)

92
Damilano ‘Marghe’ Langhe Nebbiolo 2017
DOC Langhe, Italy $21.95 (576793) 14.0% alcohol
This 100% nebbiolo harvested from mature vines--30-50 years-old—is outstanding value. It offers aromas of delicate red fruit, cured meat, caraway seed and potpourri. Crunchy red fruit—cherry, pomegranate, raspberry--with profound flavours are wrapped in extra-fine grippy tannin and sublime acidity. An enveloping warmth carries the fruit character and a delicate peppery note all the way to the long finish. Expect a medium-full-bodied baby Barolo at an unbeatable price. This calls for rare-grilled red meat or a selection of regional Piedmonte charcuterie (Louise Boutin)

91
Provolo Valpolicella 2019
DOC Valpolicella, Italy $16.95 13.0% alcohol
There’s unbelievable value in this organic-certified youthful blend of indigenous Veneto fruit—60% corvina/20% rondinella/10% molinara/10% corvinone. A bit shy on the nose with subtle aromas of red cherry, plum and a hint of spice, it bursts on the palate with fresh fruit flavours—ripe red cherry, sweet plum and a touch of peppery dry herb, all enveloped in silky-soft tannin and beautiful acidity, keeping the experience very harmonious from first sip to finish. This medium-bodied red is a definite crowd pleaser and quite versatile at the table. Enjoy now. (Louise Boutin)

93
Broccardo Barolo ‘I Tre Pais’ 2016
DOCG Barolo, Italy $48.95 14.5% alcohol
Expect beautiful fresh aromas of red cherry, strawberry, star anise, rose petal and a mushroom hint from this 100% Nebbiolo sourced from select vineyards of +30-year-old vines. Tart red cherry and red plum lead the flavour profile until ultra-fine texture tannin shows up bringing along licorice and peppery character in the endless delightful grippy, savoury finish. This full-bodied gem will further evolve over the next 15 to 20 years. If served now, aerate/decant three to four hours and pair with wild mushroom and braised beef short-ribs. (Louise Boutin)

• In a few Piemonte appellations, the best vineyard parcels are called ‘bricco’ They’re usually located on the higher part of the hill offering better sun exposure and yielding premium-quality fruit. The 2016 Broccardo ‘Bricco San Pietro’ Barolo below is a prime example of bricco-sourced fruit helping to fashion a premium-quality wine.

94
Broccardo ‘Bricco San Pietro’ Barolo 2016
DOCG Barolo, Italy $69.95 14.5% alcohol
An inviting complex nose of dry cherry, stewed fig, rose petal, caraway seed and an earthy note introduce this full-bodied 100% nebbiolo from low-yielding 30-year-old vines. It’s matured in a combination of new and old French and Slovenian barrels for 24 months with an additional 10 months in bottle before release. A stream of racy acidity travels the palate carrying red cherry flavours morphing into dry-fruit quality mid palate, along with astringent fine-grained tannin before savoury and peppery notes slowly fade in the exquisite finish. Three to four hours of aerationdecant is worth the wait to discover this beauty’s full personality. Pair with wild mushroom risotto topped with parmesan shavings or cellar for up to 20 years for a more evolved imbibing experience. (Louise Boutin)

New in Ontario Wineries

Order the following wines online; home delivery is FREE on orders of six bottles or more from Vineland Estates Winery.

89
Vineland Estates Winery ‘Dry’ Riesling 2017
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (167551) 9.0% alcohol
This well-priced, medium-light bodied riesling shows subtle pear and yellow apple aromas shielded by an intense petroleum scent, characteristic of the varietal. The palate is expressive with hard lemon candy flavour to the fore with ripe pear, ginger and an almond bite following all the way to the refreshing crisp and mineral finish. Drink now with sea salt-dusted, roasted almond or miso-glazed cod. (Louise Boutin)

89
Vineland Estates Winery ‘Kevin O’Leary’ Unoaked Chardonnay 2018
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (37751) 12.5% alcohol
This is a medium-bodied chardonnay blend—2/3 chardonnay and 1/3 chardonnay musqué from a Dragon’s Den, TV-personality’s label. It’s fresh on the nose with peach and apple aromas along with hay notes and a lactic character in the background. No oak contact but excellent texture, courtesy the extended bâtonnage, providing a light-coating mouthfeel on the palate. The flavours are focused on orchard fruit and bright citrus then closing on a balancing, mild, almond bitterness. This is exceptional value and an excellent bottle to have on hand to sip on its own or pair with simple fish or chicken dishes. (Louise Boutin)

91
Vineland Estates Winery Cabernet Franc 2018
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (594127) 12.5% alcohol
Lifted aromas of dark berry fruit, grilled savoury herbs, graphite and kirsch liqueur abound. The palate’s treated to a gusher of flavour with tang-laden black currant and racy passionfruit decorated with red licorice, soft ripe tannin and a laser-like line of nervy tang. It’s medium-bodied and creamy smooth with a balanced, lengthy and lively finish and aftertaste. Give this a go with burgers, gourmet sausage, meat-laden pizza or pasta puttanesca. (Vic Harradine)

87
Vineland Estates Winery ‘Bo-Teek Vineyard’ Pinot Meunier 2017
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $25.00 12.5% alcohol
Traditionally used in champagne blends, pinot meunier is featured alone in this medium-bodied dry red. A nose of tart cherry, kombucha, pencil shaving and potting soil aromas precede a racy stream of tangy red fruit flavours tingling the tongue despite no signs of residual fermentation. Tannins are soft, carrying a peppery and herbaceous character trailing in the finish and aftertaste. Pair with a charcuterie board. (Louise Boutin)

90
Vineland Estates Winery ‘Elevation - Bo-Teek Vineyard’ Cabernets 2014
VQA Niagara Escarpment $28.00 (173609) 12.5% alcohol
This red blend—67% cabernet franc / 33% cabernet sauvignon—matured 15 months in oak barrels. It presents with a captivating nose—dry dark cherry, ripe blackberry, charred green pepper, smoked bacon and subtle violet notes. A silky-soft wave of ripe dark fruit brightened by a hint of tangy raspberry bathes the plate along with polished tannin and a touch of smoky pepper persisting in the smooth finish. This is a very approachable medium-bodied red to pair with barbecued pork ribs. (Louise Boutin)

• Acclaimed rock female vocalist in the 1990s, Sass Jordan is back on the music scene with a new album, a series of concerts celebrating David Bowie’s music legacy, The David Bowie Alumni Tour and her very own wine label. Her red and white blends are featured below.

88
Vineland Estates Winery ‘Kick Ass Sass’ White 2018
VQA Niagara Peninsula $20.00 11.0% alcohol
This white blend—50% sauvignon blanc 25% riesling 25% chardonnay—offers pleasing aromas—honeydew melon, yellow apple, fresh ginger and stone minerality. This is an easy to drink light-bodied white with fruit cocktail flavours, tangy lemon and a kick of spicy ginger in the crisp finish. Drink now with a sushi platter or enjoy on its own. (Louise Boutin)

89
Vineland Estates Winery ‘Kick Ass Sass’ Red 2017
VQA Niagara Peninsula $25.00 13.5% alcohol
This is a smooth expressive blend of 95% cabernet franc and 5% merlot showing ripe blackberry, dark cherry and piquant jalapeno aromas on the nose. Medium-full bodied with chalky fine tannin and a medley of dark berry, cassis and a nice vegetal note contributing to a fine wine with excellent acidity and delicious savoury finish. This is sure to make an excellent impression at your next barbecue with grilled meats and vegetables. (Louise Boutin)

Sons of Eden Winery

• The following wines were tasted recently at Sons of Eden winery in Eden Valley, Australia. If you live in Ontario, the first wine reviewed is in the upcoming April 4, 2020 Vintages Release. Hopefully, many more will be picked up and offered through VinoLuna, the Ontario agent, or the LCBO.

• The following wine was named ‘Kennedy’ to pay homage to a family of growers responsible for planting some of the vineyards that are now producing the incredible old fruit still being harvested for wines like the following 2017 Sons of Eden ‘Kennedy’ Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre. Special homage has been paid to one family member, Leo ‘Joe’ Kennedy, who was a charismatic grower and for years nurtured the fruit that makes up the Light Pass sub-region of grenache sourced for this wine. A likeness of him appears on the label.

95
Sons of Eden ‘Kennedy’ Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre 2017
Barossa Valley, South Australia $24.95 (558692) 14.5% alcohol
This 48% grenache/32% shiraz/20% mourvèdre red blend leaps from the glass with aromas of violets and black plum intertwined with savory herb notes. A surge of bramble berry and dark Bing cherry mingling with pie cherry and passionfruit wash over the palate as pure ambrosia. This is medium-plus bodied with generous mouthfeel, balanced and beautiful with a lengthy finish adorned with sprigs of savory herbs. It’s all framed with excellent acidity and underpinned by soft, ripe, fine-grained tannin. Give it a go now after a two-hour aeration/decant or cellar short term. Pour with grilled rack of lamb or slow-cooked lamb shoulder. (Vic Harradine)

• All grape varieties for the following 2018 Sons of Eden ‘Kennedy’ Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre were hand-picked, fermented separately and underwent a warm fermentation of just under 30 degrees C. Fruit from grenache and mourvèdre vines were macerated on skins for 10 days to three weeks then pressed into seasoned 300L oak hogsheads and 500L puncheons then matured in barrel for 16 months, no racking, then clarified naturally, blended and bottled. All fruit for this wine was sourced in the Barossa Valley from vines over twenty-years-old to vines over 100-years-old with overall average yields approximately 2/tonnes per acre.

96
Sons of Eden ‘Kennedy’ Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre 2018
Barossa Valley, South Australia $24.95 (558692) 14.5% alcohol
This 46% grenache/36% shiraz/18% mourvèdre red blend begins with a quiet nose of fruit aromas—black plum and cherry—decorated with mixed spice and savoury herbs. A spectacular surge of cassis and kirsch liqueur intertwined with ripe mulberry and tangy black currant coat the palate persisting through the lingering, balanced-on-a-pin finish. It’s medium-plus bodied with fleshy texture, persistent purity of fruit and value-packed. Pour with osso buco, grilled gourmet sausage or cassoulet. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2018 Sons of Eden ‘Marschall’ Shiraz is named as a tribute to a legendary vigneron who pioneered the beginnings of the Barossa Valley and lives on through these gnarled old vines like the ones that form the backbone of this wine. David Marschall cultivated excellent vineyards, was an accomplished martial arts devotee, an actor and a demolition expert. A likeness of David features prominently on the front label.

96
Sons of Eden ‘Marschall’ Shiraz 2018
Barossa Valley, South Australia $24.95 14.5% alcohol
The price-quality balance here tips wildly in your favour. Perfumed aromas of floral notes, sprigs of savoury herbs and dark berry fruit leap from the glass. A lively surge of racy tang—red currant and cranberry—and sweet, ripe fruit—black currant and blueberry—coalesce on the palate, balanced and beautiful. This is medium weight with good mouthfeel, silky tannin and oodles of charm. It’s good to go now and for the next five years. A two-hour aeration/decant will enhance your imbibing experience. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2017 Sons of Eden ‘Zephyrus’ Shiraz is well named. Zephyrus is the Greek God of the west wind. Most days around ‘happy hour’—5:00 pm or so—the vignerons of Barossa welcome its occurrence as it is a cool and cooling wind that allows the region its wide diurnal range in temperature that assists in giving finished wine a delightfully balanced flavour of ripe fruit—from the warm days—and excellent tang and acidity—from the cool nights. The 16 different parcels of shiraz in the following wine all had extended skin contact, from 10% to 60% whole bunch clusters, then approx. 3-weeks fermentation before being pressed into 45% new and 55% seasoned French oak 300 L hogsheads and matured 15 months before being bottled… not fined or filtered.

96
Sons of Eden ‘Zephyrus’ Shiraz 2017
Barossa Valley, South Australia $45.00 14.5% alcohol
This is balanced on a pin offering persistent purity of ripe fruit and plenty of lip-smacking tang. Aromas of dried savoury herbs, dark berry fruit and peppery notes abound on the nose of this gorgeous blend from 16 individual parcels of shiraz sourced from 55% Barossa Valley and 45% Eden Valley. A medium-plus bodied, lively textured surge blankets the palate with oodles of tang from flavours of passionfruit and pie cherry intertwined with ripe, sweet blueberry and juicy, savoury-infused black plum. It finishes lengthy, balanced, structured and simply delicious. It was fabulous to taste and required strict discipline to spit. Aerate/decant three hours before serving. (Vic Harradine)

• The Romulus and Remus theme—mythical twin brothers, initially abandoned then raised by a she-wolf and eventually one brother kills the other in a fit of rage—mirrors the distinctiveness of where the grapes are sourced for these two wines. One is sourced from Barossa Valley, the other from Eden Valley. The following 2017 Sons of Eden ‘Romulus – Old Vine’ Shiraz requires 100% Barossa Valley fruit to be sourced from sustainably farmed shiraz vines over 50-years-old. The average yield is less than two tonnes per acre.

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Sons of Eden ‘Romulus – Old Vine’ Shiraz 2017
Barossa Valley, South Australia $70.00 14.5% alcohol
Grilled savoury herbs, dark cherry/berry fruit and black pepper aromas precede a glorious balanced and flavourful rip current of flavour over the palate. It’s medium-full bodied with satin-smooth mouthfeel and palate flavours of ripe bramble berry jam and cassis along with juicy red raspberry and ripe blueberry joined by savory-infused black plum and a replay of aromas with a black pepper note and hint of cherry. There’s deft balance, persistent purity of fruit, a lengthy finish and plenty of charm and delectable flavour from cork pop to last drop. Pour now after a two-hour aeration/decant. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2017 Sons of Eden ‘Remus – Old Vine’ Shiraz requires Eden Valley fruit sourced from sustainably farmed shiraz vines over 50-years-old. The following wine was sourced from three plots—two plots over 60-years-old and one plot over 80-years-old; the average yield was approximately two tonnes per acre. Hand-picked shiraz for the following wine was destemmed and crushed into 1.5 tonne open-top fermenters with select fermenters receiving up to 25% whole-bunch clusters added. It was hand-plunged daily then matured 18 months, not racked, in 300L French oak hogsheads, 45% new.

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Sons of Eden ‘Remus – Old Vine’ Shiraz 2017
Eden Valley, South Australia $70.00 14.5% alcohol
Inky/dark, almost opaque in the glass, aromas of violets, savoury herbs, black licorice and dark cherry waft easily from the glass after a gentle swirl. A broad swath of stunningly delicious flavours blanket the palate with juicy black plum and ripe black Bing cherry adorned with fennel, cracked pepper and hints of blueberry persisting through the monumentally long finish and aftertaste. This showcases firm structure, ripe tannin underpinning, excellent balance and lip-smacking tang. This has life ahead, pop corks now—after a three-hour aeration/decant—to 2027. This is superb shiraz deserving kudos and serious consideration for a multiple purchase. (Vic Harradine)

Cheers, Louise, Lisa, Dave, Vic