Brokenwood Graveyard Vineyard 2024 Shiraz

 

Some wines sing. This is a Pavarotti extravaganza. The new vintage of the Hunter Valley's standout red will be released in June - and it is a star turn - a wine of concentration, structure and distinction. The Pokolbin vineyard grapes, from vines that are 56 years old, are aided and abetted by 100% French oak (15% new), which is soaked up by the quality fruit.  Very composed, impeccably balanced. Dark with layers of flavours; and sensual, savoury notes. This is elegant but rounded; precise and very sexy. An icon from winemaker Stuart Hordern and his team that gets 98 points from me. Wish I could afford a bottle or two to put away as this is a brilliant cellaring prospect for the next three decades. $500. www.brokenwood.com.au

Brokenwood 2023 Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz

 

There are more powerful benchmark shirazes than this; and there are also more elegant examples. You will, however, struggle to find many that are more composed, or complete. A supermodel with a cheeky grin, this has been a Hunter Valley classic for decades, and this new release is an outstanding vintage from Stuart Hordern and his talented team. The heavy clay soil of the Graveyard vineyard in Pokolbin has produced concentrated fruit flavours with hints of rusticity; there is a brambly flow of dark fruit while 100% French oak (15% new) adds to the mouthfeel. If you have a special occasion to celebrate, then this will step up to the plate and hit a home run. 97/100. $500. www.brokenwood.com.au