WTN: Brokenwood Hunter Valley Shiraz 2005

I recently shared an Ozzie Shiraz that I think I actually like!

Brokenwood Hunter Valley Shiraz 2005 14% abv; 30€ in the special order selection

This is a "baby-Graveyard" but from younger vines than are destined for the flagship. What differentiates this Shiraz from most of what I have tasted above is that it isn't overtly sweet or full of dried fruit character. Rather, it seems like Syrah in a lovely, savoury style - salty even -, with lots of meat and olive scents.

Seemingly unspoofulated structure though Victor de la Serna seemed to think that HVs are generally acidified. But whether it is acidified or whether the deliciously high acidity is natural, it tastes perfect with all the other parameters in the wine. Long finish without any of the jamminess that mars so many Aussies to me, but instead is crisp and dry. If it weren't for the youthful oak, I would say this is elegant! Yet the oak doesn't obfuscate what seems to me to be pure Syrah aromatics, so I guess it will turn out fine with a bit of age.

This is by no means Northern Rhone Syrah, but it is one of the few Aussie Shiraz I have seen here that is obviously made from the same grape!

Hi Otto,

I've just purchased a bottle of the 2005 Brokenwood Graveyard Shiraz. I'll bury it in the cellar and save it for when you're next in the area. Thanks for the TN.

Mmm is about all I can think/say after that note.

I love Brokenwood Shiraz - just find some more, hold onto them a decade or so and they should be amazing.

Mmm is about all I can think/say after that note.

I love Brokenwood Shiraz - just find some more, hold onto them a decade or so and they should be amazing.

Another winery we used to see around here. I have fond memories of the Semillon!
Happy that Otto has found a red he can enjoy.

I recently shared an Ozzie Shiraz that I think I actually like!

Brokenwood Hunter Valley Shiraz 2005 14% abv; 30€ in the special order selection

This is a "baby-Graveyard" but from younger vines than are destined for the flagship. What differentiates this Shiraz from most of what I have tasted above is that it isn't overtly sweet or full of dried fruit character. Rather, it seems like Syrah in a lovely, savoury style - salty even -, with lots of meat and olive scents.

Seemingly unspoofulated structure though Victor de la Serna seemed to think that HVs are generally acidified. But whether it is acidified or whether the deliciously high acidity is natural, it tastes perfect with all the other parameters in the wine. Long finish without any of the jamminess that mars so many Aussies to me, but instead is crisp and dry. If it weren't for the youthful oak, I would say this is elegant! Yet the oak doesn't obfuscate what seems to me to be pure Syrah aromatics, so I guess it will turn out fine with a bit of age.

This is by no means Northern Rhone Syrah, but it is one of the few Aussie Shiraz I have seen here that is obviously made from the same grape!

Otto,

I am much like you where OZ shiraz is concerned. However, one of my favorite syrah wines is the Ch. Tahbilk 1860 vines. This designation is due to the year the vines were planted, and it shows in the wine. Where so many OZ shiraz are big jammy slap you down, the 1860 is a reserved, feminine type wine with nuance buried behind nuance. I took a 94 to Mo'Cool and had it at our table at dinner. There is a menu of the food located here: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=26193 And, look for a post by Califusa.

Bob, guess some knew which table to sit at!! Did you take any Marsanne?

Hi Otto,

I've just purchased a bottle of the 2005 Brokenwood Graveyard Shiraz. I'll bury it in the cellar and save it for when you're next in the area. Thanks for the TN.

David

I really have fallen in love with the Graveyard shiraz. A friend of mine has brought a couple along to different lunches recently including a 94 and 98. As my wee boy was born in 05, in addition to everything else, I felt I was duty bound to put down half a case for "him" to drink one day.

Mark

David, must make it to Aus some day then! I recently tasted and posted on the '04 Graveyard which I thought was very nice.

BobH, you've mentioned the Tahbilk to me years ago in chat and I've been hoping to see it ever since. I have found out that some brings (or brought) it to Finland but I haven't seen it in Alko or in any restaurant lists so I wonder where it all ended up? Well, I hope to bump into it sometime.

David, must make it to Aus some day then! I recently tasted and posted on the '04 Graveyard which I thought was very nice.

BobH, you've mentioned the Tahbilk to me years ago in chat and I've been hoping to see it ever since. I have found out that some brings (or brought) it to Finland but I haven't seen it in Alko or in any restaurant lists so I wonder where it all ended up? Well, I hope to bump into it sometime.

Otto, the 1860 vine shiraz here (when it can be found) sells north of the $100 mark, and in many cases well north of it. In OZ I think it is north of the AU$200. It is a fine wine, but has almost risen out of my ability to purchase. By that I mean it would have to be a very special occasion for me to buy one.

What differentiates this Shiraz from most of what I have tasted above is that it isn't overtly sweet or full of dried fruit character. Rather, it seems like Syrah in a lovely, savoury style - salty even -, with lots of meat and olive scents.

Great to hear, I must try it. Thanks for the note, Otto.

Bob, guess some knew which table to sit at!! Did you take any Marsanne?

Believe it or not Bob, but I took a 1998 and a 2002 marsanne, and didn't get either opened. I wound up gifting Howie Hart with the 98, and brought the 02 home. I am glad though that I didn't open the 02 at Mo'Cool, because it was slightly corked.