The fruit for the 2016 Vat 9 Shiraz was sourced from Tyrrells super premium vineyards on the Ashmans property with an average vine age of 50 years. Predominately from the Weinkeller and Short Flat vineyards. Winemaking The blocks were all hand picked and sorted in the vineyard before arriving at the winery. All the fruit was then destemmed but not crushed, followed by fermentation in traditional open top concrete vats. After fermentation the wiens were matured in newer 2700L French oak casks for ten months.

One of the benchmarks of Barossa Shiraz, Peter Lehmann's Stonewell is a classic example of the rich concentrated old vine style. While bold on the palate, there is always an inherent complexity to the Stonewell that enables it to be compared with all of the great Australian wines produced today.

Alkina Spice Garden Shiraz, Barossa Valley A very welcome inclusion into the Premium Barossa Shiraz Club, Alkinas Spice Garden is 100% organic and biodynamic certified Shiraz from one specific block from which they produced just 44 cases (and some rare magnums). It looks and tastes like a high-gear Barossa Shiraz, with all the ripeness and power matched with a unique minerality.

St Hallett Old Block Shiraz, first vintage 1980, is a stalwart of the Barossa and a stalwart of Langton's Classification of Australian Wine. A blend of oldvine Shiraz (average age 90 years) from key sites in the Barossa and Eden Valleys, Old Block is one of Barossas finest.

The Torbreck Descendant has a powerful nose of blackberry and tar complemented by floral lavender and a violet lift. Full-bodied and concentrated with ripe silky tannins and plenty of extract this wine has a great future ahead.

A story that has intrigued Sons of Eden for years is the fable of the legendary founders of Ancient Rome, Romulus and Remus. These twins were abandoned at birth and reared by a she-wolf. Romulus murdered his twin in a fit of rage over the naming of Rome, the city which both had built. Legend presents Romulus as the stronger, more powerful of the brothers, while Remus was more refined, focussed and elegant. Sons of Eden believe the twins characterise the distinctive and unique flavours and attributes of Shiraz from the twin valleys - the Barossa Valley and Eden Valley. Deep crimson in colour with a complex aroma of dense cherry and red berry fruits together with nuances of dried herb and vanilla bean. A powerful and fleshy palate of plums, red berries and spice are balanced with persistent silky tannins.

From the sculptural, low yielding Hilder Mataro vines - believed to be 145 year old ancestor vines that have survived two world wars - comes Z Wines' inaugural release of a straight Mataro. This biodynamic vineyard is worthy of producing a single varietal fruitful and earthy Mataro. This minimal intervention wine was hand picked, wild fermented, basked pressed and spent only 8 months in high quality oak, including 20% new French oak. On the nose, herbal notes as well as spice, licorice and leather are evident. The dark fruits (plums and ripe cherry) take a back seat, but positively add to the interesting bouquet. Characters from the nose follow through to the palate, which is balanced and structured. The flavours are dominated by savoury herbal and leathery characteristics with background ripe forest fruits. The chalky acidity and tannins are prominent and very much a testament to the high quality fruit. You will find divine length and lingering flavours.