2022 Sons of Eden Romulus Old Vine Shiraz, Barossa Valley

95 points Halliday Wine Companion

“…a thick roll of exuberant blackberry, black cherry and blueberry fruits…”

Beautiful, intense aromas of dark berries and chocolate take centre stage in this wine, with sweet smoky notes of coffee beans and tapenade. Big and mouth filling, with a wave of plush fruit, tannins notable but velvety and in a supporting role. A silky wine with long flavours.

Bring this wine out on a rainy weekend night around the house. It is sublime next to a slow-braised beef cheek ragu over thick pappardelle. We love how the wine’s sweeter, plush fruit cuts through the rich, savory depth of the melting collagen, with neither outmuscling the other.

Keeping it casual? Uncork it alongside a wood-fired pizza topped with spicy salami and black olives. The tapenade notes in the wine mirror the olives perfectly, while the sweet berry fruit effortlessly handles the heat of the salami.

More about this wine

Sons of Eden takes its name from the two partners, winemaker Corey Ryan and viticulturist Simon Cowham, who both learnt and refined their trades in the vineyards and cellars of Eden Valley.

Their Romulus wines are a blend of sustainably managed Eden Valley vineyards with 50-plus-year-old shiraz vines. The 2021 was sourced from vineyards in three sub-regions of the Barossa Valley: Nuriootpa, Light Pass and Menglers Hill.

The fruit was hand-harvested, destemmed and crushed into small open-top fermenters, then chilled for five days before being allowed to naturally warm up to start fermentation. After 20 days on skins the ferments were pressed and transferred to French oak hogsheads, 45% of which were new. The wine matured for 18 months in oak without racking before the final blend, naturally clarified and bottled without filtration.

Critic reviews

95 points Dave Brookes for Halliday Wine Companion, January 2026

50-year-old shiraz from sites across the Barossa, matured for 18 months in a combo of new (45%) and seasoned French oak hogsheads. You're greeted with a thick roll of exuberant blackberry, black cherry and blueberry fruits cut with baking and roasting spices, cedar, citrus blossom, licorice, dark chocolate and tapenade. Spans the gap between traditional and contemporary with a comfortable regional familiarity. Fine, silty tannins and some great sustain on the finish. Drink to 2040.

93 points Melissa Moore for The Real Review, January 2026

Blackberry jam, smoke, toasted marshmallow, and nuts-and-fruit panforte aromas. Full-bodied and concentrated but silky, carrying warmth and weight. Earthy, savoury tannins. Like a big juicy hug. Drink to 2034.

96 points James Suckling, July 2025

Powerful and brooding aromas of blackberry compote, dark chocolate, black olives, charred spices, stones and dried herbs. The palate is full-bodied with densely packed tannins, a firm, structured mouthfeel and a long finish with a savory, minerally edge. Deep, concentrated and built for the long haul.