99 POINTS
Toni Paterson MW - Halliday Wine Companion
Graceful precision and effortless flow reflect the resplendent glory of Hunter Valley shiraz without overt winemaking ornamentation. The fruit is fragrant, dark, coiled and ripe, with restrained power and suppleness exhibiting an engaging fluidity, thrilling in its perfection. There is plenty of strength within, with finely tensioned tannins providing the requisite structure for ageing. Not only is the wine a magnificent expression of this treasured vineyard, planted in '68 and a distinguished signature wine for Brokenwood, but it is also a benchmark of the region, making it a compelling addition to any serious wine collection.
98 POINTS
Shanteh Wale - Winepilot
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.
98 POINTS
Ray Jordan - Winepilot
This is one of Australia’s most famous Shiraz. It comes off extremely low-yielding 55-year-old Hunter Valley vines and consistently produces wines of extraordinary depth, power but ultimately wonderful refinement. The colour is a deep red with lifted crimson purple hues, the first hint of its brightness and energy. On the nose, you capture the earthy plummy red fruits of the Hunter, and then on the palate, it all starts to reveal itself. Somehow it captures all the complexities of the red fruits, the chalky tannins, the finely applied oak and that lift of subtle earthy spiciness. There’s a brilliance and brightness here with the red fruits starting to dominate as it extends through to its extraordinarily long finish. These are wines with tremendous cellaring potential. This is one of the best I’ve seen at such an early stage in its development. A cracking wine worth every cent.
98 POINTS
Ken Gargett - Winepilot
There has been a great deal of hype about this latest release of the Graveyard Shiraz, not surprisingly, and it has a string of extremely high scores to its name already. From an excellent vintage for the region, it is almost seen as a fail if this is not considered the very best red from the Hunter Valley region. Mind you, it does have serious competition (Tyrrell’s 4 Acres would be my pick for its closest competitor). The team suggest that it will sit alongside Graveyards like 2018, 2014, 1998 and 1986. If it can be spoken of in the same sentence as 1986 then it will be very special indeed. Maturation was in French oak, 15% of it new. Dark purple with a garnet rim, the nose is full of gorgeous fragrances of red fruits, spices, tobacco leaves, leather, animal skins, cedar, florals and cigar boxes. Think Cohiba Siglo VI and you’re getting somewhere. A wine of balance, length and a seductive texture, it finishes with fine, if slightly furry tannins. No reason this won’t provide pleasure for at least thirty years and over that time, perhaps edge up another point or two.
98 POINTS
Gary Walsh - The Wine Front
It’s not released until May next year, though I thought I’d review it, as likely I won’t get a chance to taste it again on release. I’m not sure if the price will go up from the 2022 vintage. Woooo. All the crushed blue, red and black berries, pumping with perfume, hazelnuts too. Medium-bodied, silky fine grained tannin buried in the wine, acid is so settled, so balanced, so fresh, so beautiful. Persistent in tannin, and of the highest quality. This is one of the greats, and indeed, one of the best young Shiraz I’ve tasted. I wrote 97+ or maybe 98, but given it kind of startled me at first, and then made me grin like an even bigger fool than I usually am, and then I gave winemaker Stu Hordern a high five, I reckon I can go a bit wild on the score.
This is a classic wine with such balance, length and ultra-fine tannins. Medium-bodied with fresh and clean blackberry flavors and a silky finish. Grape tannins come through beautifully. Caressing. Why wait?
97 POINTS
Erin Larkin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate
The 2023 Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz is a product of the beautiful year that birthed it. It is ripe and silky and seamless already. All the components fit together without edges. Perfectly resolved tannins are bedded in a garden of rose petals, graphite, petrichor, raspberry pip, curls of blood orange rind, tobacco and even a hint of something earthy... mossy. It's great. Truly one of the greats, alongside the 2018, in the context of this tasting. This is a ripper wine; it's inchoate but blue chip. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. The 2018 vintage of the Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz is the best vintage of this wine made to that date. This 2023 may in time see this as being the best Graveyard ever made. For those lucky enough to have both vintages in the cellar, it's all the same to us—these are great wines with long futures ahead of them.
93 POINTS
2025 - Decanter World Wine Awards
Inky nose with aromas of blackberry, liquorice, cloves, toast and black pepper. Succulent smooth tannins, creamy and long. Smartly made. Award: Silver - DWWA 2025
