Brokenwood Graveyard Shiraz 2019
- 98
- $350
- Drink by: 2026 - 2036
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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.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
