Brokenwood Wines, in the heart of the Hunter Valley, can lay claim to not only an iconic vineyard with the Graveyard Vineyard but to the preservation of a wine fraternity that proudly has as its mission statement, 'to make great wine and have fun.' The Hunter Valley is renowned for its dry table wines of Semillon and Shiraz. Brokenwood's production of these is further supported by premium grapes sources 'from all the right regions for all the right reasons' such as Orange, Beechworth and McLaren Vale.

This is an ultra-stylish, well-made Graveyard with tightly coiled fruit and a serious demeanour. In fact, it would be easy to miss its greatness, especially alongside riper styles, if one wasn't paying attention. Quiet and reserved with a youthful crimson hue, the fruit is tensioned within an intricate matrix of acidity and tannin. With aeration, one sees exotic black cherry characters nestled within a dense, sculpted, savoury palate. It's a slender, majestic shiraz that has grace and restrained power. It will be an extremely long-living wine, and I can't wait to see how it transforms with time. One for the future. Date: Nov 2023; Drink to: 2052; Alcohol: 13.2%; Rating: 98 Points; James Halliday Wine Companion