Brokenwood Verona Vineyard Hunter Valley Shiraz 2019

The debate over whether the 2019 vintage topped its predecessor in the Hunter is one of those things wine geeks will spend hours mulling over. No matter – both provided us with many stunning reds. This vineyard, planted in 1968, has been in Brokenwood hands for the best part of twenty years. It sits across the road from the famed Graveyard Vineyard. This is the seventh time the fruit has been bottled as a single vineyard wine, deservedly so.

This has a deep magenta hue, and is a beautiful example of how good a Hunter Shiraz can be (too often, this is lost in the plethora of Barossa and McLaren Vale blockbusters). Coffee grinds, red and dark berries, plums, tobacco leaves, this also has a gorgeous, seductive texture. Mid-weight, very good length, fine tannins and a hint of sour cherries on the finish, this has ten years plus ahead of it.