Brokenwood Graveyard Shiraz
Graveyard Vineyard is the jewel in the Brokenwood crown, responsible for the company's flagship wines. The vineyard was planted with Shiraz vines in 1970 - extremely heavy clay soils, yields are low, but fruit flavour is intense through employment of meticulous vinification techniques. Strong lifted aromas of sweet earth and dark cherry greet the olfactory senses. Oak features, but will soften and integrate given some patience. Initial flavours of dark chocolate and ripe plums are beautifully lashed to ripe tannins lending an edge of cedar.
Chateau Duhart-Milon
Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
Vinedo Chadwick
Optume Shiraz
The 2017 vintage provided an exceptionally ideal cool and elongated growing season akin to winding the clock back to the classic Yarra Valley conditions of yore. Conditions were perfect for sourcing grapes with the intention of creating a classic style of cool-climate Shiraz reminiscent of the pioneering wines that forged the Yarra Valleys enviable reputation. Showing volume and weight with finesse and restraint, this perfumed, brooding and enticingly refined medium-bodied Shiraz is the result of an assemblage of three individual vineyard sites, all targeted for their individual defining strengths and characters that would play a role in constructing a complete wine. Fruit was sourced from individually selected sites across the Yarra Valley. Leading with an intensity of white pepper and char, the complex, slowly-evolving nose offers a mélange of mulberry, dried figs, cloves, cardamom and fruit mince pies. The palate delivers a grace and presence with the weight pushing through to a slow-building resonance of flavour and tannin. The density of black fruits is wound tight and integrated so that no one element stands above the others. This wine is suitable for vegans. Decanting is highly recommended.
Optume Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2017 vintage provided an exceptionally ideal cool and elongated growing season akin to winding the clock back to the classic Yarra Valley conditions of yore. Conditions were perfect for sourcing grapes with the intention of creating a classic style of cool-climate claret reminiscent of the pioneering wines that forged the Yarra Valleys enviable reputation. The wine features brooding restrained fruit characters of cassis and blackberry with complexing savoury elements of bramble, bergamot, sage leaf, amari, nutmeg, sandalwood, laurel, leather and star anise. Suppleness on the palate combines with flavours of red liquorice, smoked paprika, charred meats and cassia bark. The silky texture and juicy flavours intertwine on the poised youthful palate, rewarding repeat visits as the regal tannin layers accumulate on the finish. Decanting is highly recommended.
La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou
Head The Brunette Shiraz
Colour is deep red. The nose shows aniseed, tar, FruChocs and spicy oak. The fine palate entry has mulberry, cranberry, aniseed and liquorice flowing delicately with Rhone-like spicy, chewy, savoury tannins.
Chateau Grand Puy Ducasse
Replantings and an upgrade of the winery and cellars, has resulted in the gradual recognition of this oft-overlooked wine producer. The upgrades have helped fine tune wines that are produced from potentially stunning fruit, sourced from a vineyard that sits on gravel between Batailley, Lafite-Rothschild and Mouton-Rothschild in Pauillac. The blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot spends time in mostly older wood and is known for its juiciness, fleshy texture and ability to be drunk at a relatively young age.
Torbreck RunRig Shiraz
The flagship of the Torbreck stable. Recently been elevated to 'Exceptional' status in Langton's Fine Wine Classification, it is a wine of utmost power and density. Famous for rich concentration and opulent power, this exceptional Australian Shiraz is as popular abroad as it is at home. Definitely one to place in the cellar and simply forget about - let the patience reward you over 10 or more years time.
