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2002 Brokenwood Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz

Hunter Valley, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA
$99. 00
Bottle
$1188.00 Dozen
ABV: 13.6%
Closure: Cork
Notes sourced from Brokenwood

The 2001 calendar year was one of the Hunter Valley’s driest (although not quite 1991), with a total of only 21 rain days in the latter 7 months, for a total of 230mm. As usual, winter irrigation was essential and the vines got away to a great budburst. Spring was dry and mild to hot. The summer really ‘kicked-in’ in December with several 40oC plus days and fierce winds. Bushfires surrounded the valley but there was no damage in the vineyard area. January continued hot and dry with some rain at the end of the month. The vines were coping well and good quality appeared certain, with a return to normal ripening picking in the first week of February. Of course this is the Hunter Valley and by 10th February 135mm (5.5 inches) had fallen. The Graveyard Shiraz produced some great fruit for such a year, backed up with hand sorting at the winery.

Vinification: Four day cold soak, five day ferment with hand plunging two times per day in small 2 tonne fermenters, then run off to oak. MLF in barrel - 80% French & 20% American, with about 80% new.

Tasting Notes: Excellent colour, not overly deep but with youthful tints. Hunter Valley aromas!! Charry briar wood, clove and red cherry. Background oak - some vanillin evident. Good weight to the palate, initially soft to mid tannins but then red berry and spice flavours. Excellent structure that has earthy, briary, savoury characters and grape/oak tannins. Tastings of previous similar vintages ‘95, ‘97, ‘99, have shown classic Hunter Valley characters developing at approximately 5 to 6 years.
Alc/Vol: 13.6%

Other Reviews...
The estate’s flagship offering, the 2002 Shiraz Graveyard, is a tightly-knit, concentrated effort from a vineyard in the Hunter Valley planted on red clay with 34-year-old vines. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by elegant aromas of plums, blackberries, vanilla, and briery, wild mountain fruit. This well-built, muscular Shiraz should hit its plateau of maturity in 2-3 years, and last for 12-15.
90 Points
Robert Parker – The Wine Advocate # 161 (Oct 2005)