There were sadly no Hunter Valley reds for 2012, but this year more than makes up for the loss. Lifted bright red fruit and spices, the colour is a lovely deep red in your glass. There are some very appealing savoury cherry flavours and very fine tannins, a result of perfectly ripened fruit. The oak takes a backseat due to the use of puncheons and older wood.
James Halliday: 95 Made from young vines in the Graveyard Vineyard, and some barrels culled from the Graveyard wine proper. Excellent crimson-purple; this is stunningly fresh and vibrant, with more red fruits than usual joining the darker fruit flavours, tannins and oak, perfectly balanced and integrated. It will live and prosper for decades - leave it until '16 to glimpse where it is headed.
FROM THE WINERY: Brokenwood’s 41st vintage got underway a lot earlier than anticipated. The continued dry weather across the eastern half of Australia intensified in early January with a run of above average temperatures. The heavy rain that disrupted the 2012 red harvest gave way to a typical dry winter and even drier spring when only 92mm of rain fell in the 4 months, July through October. November, December and the early part of January were also dry, leading to lighter canopies to go with the lighter crop load. Shiraz started rolling into the winery on February 2nd.
Don't Pay: $50.00
WBW Rating: 95/100
Closure: Stelvin
Region: Hunter Valley, NSW
Winemaker: Iain Riggs
Drink now until: 2022
Alc/Vol: 14.5 %
