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The Eden Valley
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Eden Valley is the cooler, hillier extension of the Barossa Valley. British and German settlers planted vineyards here between the 1840’s and 1860’s, making the history of this versatile region closely aligned with that of the Barossa.
In recent years, two producers have come to dominate Eden Valley: Henschke and Yalumba. Founded by Samuel Smith in 1849, Yalumba has been producing a range of excellent white wines, including it’s excellent, elegant Viognier, The Virgilius. It is a classy, impressively consistent wine that dazzles drinkers with delicate floral and melon aromas. Chardonnays also shine, with ripe, tropical flavors that have garnered a worldwide reputation for wines such as Yalumba’s Wild Ferment series.
Mountadam Vineyard, Eden Valley - photo courtesy of Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation
In the cooler, higher southern areas around the towns of Eden Valley and Springton grow sorne of the best Riesling in Australia. Highly floral and citrusy, Eden Valley Riesling generally ages beautifully over a decade into a toasty, golden wine. All of the big names seem to have an excellent Riesling coming out of Eden Valley: Wolf Blass, Penfolds, Grant Burge, they all come out with interesting wines in each vintage. Expect them to begin with bright Granny Smith apple notes, and to continue on with dry, minerally lime and olive-oil flavors.
Both companies, and others since, have found that the relatively warmer northern areas of Angaston, Moculta, and Keyneton bring out the best in Shiraz. A worldwide classic, as evident by the prices it can command, the silky Henschke Hill of Grace is as full-bodied as Barossa Shiraz, but with a slightly finer structure. For Australian Shiraz fans, this is most definitely one to try, as it is a unique wine that manages to deliver great flavor intensity without relying on excessive weight. For those looking perhaps for a cheaper alternative, Henschke’s Mount Edelstone Shiraz is no slouch, although it regularly receives second billing to Hill of Grace. Followers of the brand know that Mt. Edelstone is a consistent, fabulous wine at a fraction of the price of Hill of Grace, with, in its best vintages, penetrating spearmint, bread flour and perfectly ripe red plums on the palate.
Buying Guide: Best Eden Valley Wines Under 20$
Top Ten Eden Valley Wines
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Yalumba Virgilius Viognier Eden Valley $40
Grapes: 100% Viognier |
Henschke Julius Riesling Eden Valley $27 | |
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Henschke Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon Eden Valley $100 | |
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Gibson's BarossaVale Australian Old Vine Collection Shiraz Eden Valley $105 | |
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Heathvale Shiraz Eden Valley $23 | |
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Poonawatta Estate The Eden Riesling Eden Valley $35 | |
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Tin Shed Single Wire Shiraz Eden Valley $51 | |
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Henschke Louis Sémillon Eden Valley $27 | |
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Tin Shed Melting Pot Shiraz Eden Valley $29 |
Henschke Mount Edelstone Vineyard Shiraz Eden Valley $100
Grapes: 100% Shiraz
Description: Deep crimson purple in color, with powerful blackberry and stewed plum aromas. Spices and chocolate, follow, with refreshing notes of eucalyptus. Prototypical of a powerful Australian Shiraz, it has a huge mouthfeel, and a silky, lingering texture that remains long after the last sip.
Comment: This wine first came out in 1952, and today it proudly boasts 90 year old Eden Valley Shiraz vines as the source of its grapes. You can imagine the concentrated flavors contained in this rare fruit. The wine is matured in French (90% new) and American oak for 18 months before blending and bottling.
Food pairing: grilled
meats | duck | rack of lamb | hearty stews | earthy entrees
When to drink: Drink on release, or keep for up to 10 years
Service temperature: 18°C | 64°F