2006 Brokenwood Graveyard Shiraz

Winemaker's Notes
"The middle year of three dry vintages and very similar to the 2005. Medium density colour with purple tints. Lifted aromas of dark cherry, clove and ‘sweet’ earth. These are complimented by soft mocha oak. Initial flavours of dark chocolate and plums. The tannins for the 2006 are ripe with a dry, cedar edge. Some spice/pepper characters on the finish. Perfect weight of fruit, alcohol and tannin. A wine with great ‘line’ – a Len Evan’s expression used to convey structure, balance and length. "

Stephen Tanzer
"93 pts ... Opaque purple. Raspberry, blackberry, rose oil, minerals and Asian spices on the high-pitched nose. Sweet, creamy and surprisingly energetic, with vibrant red fruit, floral pastille and mineral flavors and no rough edges. The floral notes come on strong on the finish, which is exceptionally pure, vibrant and long. Many high-end New World cult pinot noirs offer less energy and clarity than this shiraz." --07/09

James Halliday
"96 pts ... Strong purple-crimson; has every bit of the intensity and structure expected of this wine, with a mix of red cherry, blackberry, French oak and a lilting finish thanks to spot-on acidity. Drink through 2025." --06/08

Technical Notes
"Four-day cold soak, five-day ferment with hand plunging two times per day in small two- tonne fermenters, then run off to oak. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation in barrels – 80% French and 20% American, with about 80% new. 13.5% alc."