Zephyrus is a Shiraz Viognier blend typically showing floral perfume and fleshy spicy black berry fruit. The wine is named as a homage to Zephyrus, Greek God of the west wind. Grapes are sourced from a vineyard site situated on a plateau on the north-western edge of the Barossa Valley, which captures the cool westerly winds. The two varieties are harvested and co-fermented together for colour and aromatic lift. Extended maceration and plunging of the cap for structure is followed by maturation in hogsheads for 18 months.
"Deep, saturated purple/red colour. There's a lovely thread of sweetness on the nose, but it's not just ripe berry characters alone. Florals, spices and vegemitey richness add dimensions, ahead of a mouth-filling shiraz with tons of flavour and an attractive whisper of toasted coconut at the edge. Lingering and satisfying with integrated ripe, fine tannins in fine harmony. Excellent."
95 points, The Real Review (May 2019)
Colonel William Light, the South Australian colony’s Surveyor-General, named the Barossa in 1837 after the site of an English victory over the French in the Spanish Peninsular War. In the mid-1800’s Silesian and English immigrants settled in the area. The Barossa itself comprises two distinct sub-regions: Eden Valley and the warmer Barossa Valley floor at 270m.The Barossa Valley enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate characterised by hot dry summers and relatively low rainfall. Cool sea breezes from the Gulf of St Vincent modify the temperature, however hot northerly winds can occasionally dominate creating considerable vine stress. Many older established vineyards are dry-grown, but supplementary irrigation is also extensively used. The valley is comprised of rich brown soils and alluvial sands. A long history of uninterrupted viticulture in the area means the Barossa valley is home to Australia’s largest concentration of old-vine Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvedre with many over 100 years old. Although most famous for Shiraz, the Barossa can also produce fragrant and deliciously fruity Grenache blends and beautifully rich, chocolatey Cabernet Sauvignons.
