2023 Sons of Eden Notus Grenache, Barossa Valley

Complex layers of wild raspberries, blueberry bush, tobacco leaves, cedar and spices. The palate is medium-bodied with finely integrated tannins and bright acidity, showing notes of cassia bark, dark cherries, potpourri and dried herbs. Wonderfully plush and lifted with a underlying power. Made from 96-year-old vines. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

95 points jamessuckling.com

The Sons of Eden crew do a good grenache. This one seems to me to be a bit deeper in fruit than the previous year's release. Those plum tones are a little darker, there's a sarsaparilla-like edge to the bunchy tones (25% this year) but the palate is still silky and supple with purple floral facets and an appealing density of fruit and spice. Fine, sandy tannins and bright acidity provide a frame for the fruit as it slowly fades.

94 points Dave Brookes winecompanion.com.au

Sons of Eden Notus Grenache is a beautifully perfumed and finely structured expression of old-vine Barossa Grenache, crafted to highlight elegance and site character over sheer power. Founded by winemaker Corey Ryan and viticulturist Simon Cowham, Sons of Eden is celebrated for its thoughtful, terroir-driven wines that pay tribute to the region’s ancient vines and Mediterranean climate. Notus, named after the Greek god of the warm south wind, is sourced from dry-grown bush vines planted in the early 1960s, primarily in the cooler, elevated subregion of the Barossa’s eastern ranges.

These old vines are rooted in sandy loam soils over clay, which naturally restrict yields and produce small, intensely flavoured berries. The cooler slopes offer a slower, more even ripening season, preserving aromatics and bright acidity while building fine tannin structure. The fruit is hand harvested and carefully sorted, with a portion of whole bunches included in the ferment to enhance fragrance and add subtle spice. Wild yeasts are used to bring texture and complexity, and the wine is matured in large seasoned French oak puncheons to maintain purity and freshness.

In the glass, Notus Grenache shows a luminous ruby colour. Aromas of wild raspberries, red cherries, rose petals, and baking spice rise elegantly, supported by hints of earth and savoury herbs. The palate is medium bodied, silky, and beautifully balanced, with juicy red fruit, fine chalky tannins, and a long, pure finish that reflects both the vineyard’s heritage and the hands-off winemaking approach. It’s an archetype of modern Barossa Grenache: bright, fragrant, and refined.

This wine pairs wonderfully with dishes like roast lamb with rosemary, duck breast with cherry jus, wood-fired pizzas with prosciutto, or Middle Eastern spiced eggplant. It also works beautifully slightly chilled on a warm day. While vibrant and approachable in its youth, Notus has the structure to age gracefully for 8 to 12 years, developing further savoury depth and complexity.