Brokenwood Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz 2021 ~ Hunter Valley, NSW, Australia

98/100 James Halliday
96/100 Bob Campbell (2019 vintage)
95/100 Huon Hooke (2019 vintage)
98/100 Huon Hooke (2018 vintage)
95/100 Christina Pickard - Wine Enthusiast (2018 vintage)

Gold - Decanter World Wine Awards (2018 vintage)

James Halliday "The early release of Graveyard Shiraz (along with many other Brokenwood jewels ex the 2021 vintage) is presumably driven by the absence of any wines from the bushfire smoke contamination, but it's a lovely wine managing to look great in this year, and doubtless will in 20, 30 or 40 years' time too, take your pick. It has a complex bouquet, with some oak nuances in the backdrop, its masterful control of tannins is one of its secrets, red fruit joining the usual black and purple to complete the tale."

Bob Campbell "From low-yielding 51-year-old vines. Supremely elegant shiraz with layers of red fruits, spice, anise, charcuterie, dried herb, mineral, black pepper and spicy oak flavours. Impressive power and length. Approachable now but really deserves at least 5 to 10 years to reveal its full potential. A classic" (2019 vintage)

Huon Hooke "Bright, deep purple/red hue. The bouquet is meaty, spicy, earthy and young, with red berry fruits and a faint trace of reduction. The palate is firm and brash, bright and a little immature, with a lot of appeal despite its youth, the flavours earthy, spicy, coal-dusty and graphite-laced. The palate is full-bodied and intense, with elegance and class as well as persistence and harmony. All it needs is a little more time. Cranberry sauce notes. Lovely. Superb potential" (2019 vintage)

Huon Hooke "Vivid, deep purple/red colour. Very regional bouquet, with lots of coaldust and graphite; the palate is powerful and highly-structured with superb tannins. Big, full-bodied, muscular. A ripping shiraz and a great Graveyard." (2018 vintage)

Christina Pickard, Wine Enthusiast "Vibrant and highly enticing, this wine envelops the senses in beautifully pure red currant and blueberry fruit, followed by licorice, violet and chocolate. The palate is silky and juicy, with fine, seamlessly integrated tannins, excellent acidity and a long spiced-plum finish. Still a baby, it promises stellar cellaring through 2035, at least."(2018 vintage)

Decanter World Wine Awards "Plush and inviting with layers of fresh vibrant fruit lead to a sumptuous palate laced with polished seductive oak, masses of fine grained tannins, and a restrained elegant, perfumed finish. Effortless class!"(2018 vintage)

Established in 1970 Brokenwood Wines is one of Australia's most reputable premium wine labels and a must-visit in the Hunter Valley. It was established by Australia's leading wine critic, James Halliday. Consistently listed as a 5-star winery, Brokenwood is home to the famous Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz, the highly acclaimed ILR Reserve Semillon, and the popular Cricket Pitch Range.

The Hunter Valley is the best-known and most highly prized wine region in New South Wales. It is known as the region where the Australian wine industry started. The valley's winemakers have pioneered two distinctive styles of wine (oaked Chardonnay and dry Semillon) and has retained a strong connection with both of them. The Hunter Valley's most famous wine style is its distinctive dry Semillon, made there since the 1870s. Hunter Valley Semillons are renowned for their ability to improve with age.

Shiraz is the name given to the dark-skinned Syrah grape when grown in Australia and selected pockets of the New World. Though genetically identical, the stylistic differences between Shiraz and Syrah are usually pronounced.

Shiraz is so important to Australian viticulture that it is the most planted grape variety in the majority of Australian vineyards and has become virtually synonymous with the country's wine regions, and in particular the Barossa Valley.