Product Information:
The Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz was named after original plans for the site which was to be a cemetery within Pokolbin, however it was never used as such. The first single vineyard selection for the Graveyard Vineyard was in 1983. Originally planted with Shiraz and Cabernet, the heavy clay soil resulted in vintages of low yield but with extraordinary concentration of flavour in the berries, providing a distinctive and premium wine style.
In late 2023 iconic Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz was included as 1st classified in the Langtons Classification 8th Edition. This is perhaps the pinnacle of recognition for Australian wineries and producers, the LANGTONS Classification of Australian Wine is the go-to guide to Australia’s most highly sought-after wines, reflecting consumer demand, collectability, and prices fetched at auction. The 8th Edition comprises a total of 100 wines across 60 wineries. The wines are given the title of ‘Classified’, reflecting their demand and performance in the secondary market (at auction). A special designation of ‘1st Classified’ is reserved for a small cohort of wines representing the most desirable wines in Australia that compete with the world’s finest, representing generations of effort and character of place.
The Brokenwood Graveyard 2018 Shiraz has a bright mid density colour with purple tints just adding to the appeal. The use of large format French oak allows the red spice and bramble of the Hunter Shiraz fruit to shine. Initial palate is very supple and complete, giving a lovely flow from start to finish. The importance of acidity can never be underestimated as this underpins the structure. It is a juicy acidity and in complete harmony with the ripe tannins and perfectly balanced oak to make this one of the great Graveyards.
Maker:
Established in 1970, Brokenwood has evolved from a small venture for a group of friends, Tony Albert, John Beeston and James Halliday into one of Australia's premier vineyards. Today, Brokenwood is benchmark winery that is best recognised for its two flagship wines; a single-vineyard Shiraz called Graveyard and the ILR Reserve Semillon, aged in bottle for five years before release.
The iconic Graveyard vineyard covers 15 hectares (37 acres) of heavy clay soils and is planted to Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. In the late 1970s, Brokenwood expanded its range and began sourcing fruit from wine regions outside the Hunter Valley, including from the McLaren Vale and Coonawarra. In 1982 the company introduced white wines to its portfolio – notably its flagship Semillon from the Hunter Valley – and today white wines make up a significant portion of Brokenwood's annual production of around 100,000 cases.
Iain Riggs had been the winemaker at Brokenwood since 1982 and had consistently aimed to produce wines with lower alcohol levels and more restrained oak use. Riggs retired from winemaking duties in 2020, with Stuart Hordern (who has been with the winery since 2009) becoming Senior Winemaker. The winery's flagship Shiraz is one of the most highly rated red wines from the Hunter Valley in Langton's Classification of Premium Australian Wine and has gained status as one of Australia's iconic single-vineyard red wines.
Vineyard:
Brokenwood have a mantra when it comes to sourcing fruit, it goes 'all the right regions, for all the right reasons.' In fact, Brokenwood was one of the first wineries to take bold new directions sourcing fruit from up and coming districts. Finding premium fruit from the best regions throughout Australia, to show true varietal and regional expression.
First and foremost, the Hunter Valley, Australia's oldest grape growing region, boasts warm to hot subtropical climates and clay loam soils at 75m elevation, perfect for Shiraz and Semillon. Brokenwood also source from Orange, elevated above 1000m in the central high country, its cool climate and fertile clay loams favour Chardonnay, and aromatic grapes like Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. The Central Ranges offer warm conditions and diverse soils from alluvial sands to red/brown loams, supporting Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Canberra District, straddling NSW and the ACT, features a dry, moderate continental climate and sandy clay loam soils at 500-800m elevation, good sourcing Riesling, Shiraz, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Heading to SA, McLaren Vale is known for warmer maritime climates with its sandy to clay loam soils at 200m elevation, it makes approachable Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Beechworth in Victoria has continental climate, here the soils range from granite to clay loams at 350m elevation, the region is prolific to say the least making great Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Tempranillo and Shiraz. Lastly out west, Margaret River's Mediterranean maritime climate and diverse soils at 80-100m, supplies exceptional Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Nose - Coal dust, Vibrant Berry Fruit, Graphite
Very regional bouquet, with vibrant berry fruits, coal dust and graphite.
Palate - Powerful, Highly Structured, Full-Bodied
The palate is powerful and highly-structured with superb tannins. Big, full-bodied, muscular. A ripping shiraz and a great Graveyard.
Finish - Seductive Oak, Fine Grained Tannin, Perfumed Finish
Masses of fine grained tannins, and a restrained elegant, perfumed finish. Effortless class!
A single block of mainly 50 year old vines. Take a bottle with you to drink with Maurice O'Shea and he'll be ecstatic. It's supple, perfectly balanced, a pure expression of a quirky vineyard that has been the work of winemaker Iain Riggs for 4 decades. '18 was a great vintage, and he pinged it. - James Halliday, 99 Points. Wine of the Year 2021.
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. - Huon Hooke, The Real Review, 98 Points.
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! - Decanter, 97 Points.
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Shiraz
Country - Australia
Region - McLaren Vale, South Australia
Vintage - 2018
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13.5%
