Brokenwood Graveyard Shiraz 2023 

Sourced from the Graveyard Vineyard’s oldest plantings—typically fruit drawn from Pa’s Middle, End, and 7 Acre blocks—the heavy, dense soils of this site are ideal for producing pure-fruited, structured Shiraz. This is a wine of true articulation, and the 2023 could almost be described as effortless, were it not for the tireless dedication of the Brokenwood vineyard and winery team. The clarity of blackberries, violet, and Illawarra plum is astonishing, followed swiftly by its trademark savoury notes of Nyons olive and the deep, irriguous black soils. This vintage feels almost innate, with a polish that seems very lightly guided by human hands, but more by the grace of the weather gods. Acidity drives the wine forward with silt-like tannins that ebb and flow nimbly across the palate. Lithe and exquisitely chic, it drinks superbly now yet will age with ease for another two decades—making it an exceptional cellar investment. This is perhaps one of the most seductive Graveyard bottlings I have encountered, and I find myself immediately compelled to seek out the finest dry-aged steak to serve alongside it. I am hoping the local butcher can deliver a cut that will do justice to the wine.

Shanteh Wale

Contributor at Wine Companion

Shanteh cut her teeth at Sydney’s Award-Winning Quay restaurant where she worked for over a decade and was Head Sommelier from 2018 till 2022. She has been nominated for the Good Food Guide Sommelier of the Year award on three occasions and claims that her experience as a Len Evans scholar as one of the highlights of her career. Shanteh hosts her own weekly podcast ‘Over A Glass’ with the Deep in the Weeds Network and spends her time writing for various publications and judging at numerous wine shows across the country.

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