Tasting Notes
Sound fruit and excellent ripeness. Typical mid density colour meaning this is an elegant supple Graveyard Shiraz. The older, large format French oak integrates perfectly with sweetness and fine tannins. The fruit spectrum for Graveyard Shiraz is about red cherries and almost Pinot-like Campari notes. Medium bodied palate but with ripe tannins and a juicy acidity that will keep the wine in good stead for many years.
Winemakers Comments
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 to 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 with Verona being harvested on the 8th of February.
Vinification
All hand picked fruit, processing started with a 4 day cold soak then 4-5 day ferment at 26-28C. Three tonne open fermenters used, enabling hand plunging twice per day. Pressed off and run to oak, and the malolactic fermentation in barrel. For this wine, 100% French, including 10% larger format (500L) puncheons, approximately 40% new of the total oak.
Food
Osso bucco or clow roasted lamb shoulder.
Drink
Drinking well now, but will continue to age well with long term cellaring.
