Brokenwood Graveyard Shiraz 2019

Few wines have had a harder act to follow than this one, on the heels of the stupendous 2018. And if one may begin with a spoiler, it has given the task one almighty shake. Another spoiler, there will be no 2020 Graveyard (2021 is likely but not yet confirmed) so don’t hesitate. 

Tight and youthful with firm tannins. Flavours of chocolate, plums, dry herbs, black fruits, fresh leather. It doesn’t quite have the almost-unique combination of exuberance and finesse the 2018 exhibits but it has other charms. It would be fair to suggest that this is more typically Graveyard in character than the ’18. Complexity and length and a cracking future, backed by juicy acidity. 98. If not for the 2018, we’d be in awe of this wine. Well, we still are.