Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
Fortunately for wine lovers, plans to locate Pokolbin cemetery on the site of the Hunter’s best-known vineyard of the modern era never came to pass. A beautifully balanced, very supple Graveyard, this has swathes of fleshy blackberry and succulent blackcurrant that stake out the mid-palate, well supported by savoury, supple tannins. Lifted red fruits and spice pull through on a long, powerful finish. In the Hunter Burgundy mould.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2013 Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz is firmer and darker than the 2011 tasted next to it, and in so being, it offers a completely different drinking experience. Here, we have a ductile display of fine but generously proportioned tannins and a draw of flavor over the palate that lingers long. This is really impressive, all about the structure. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
Most admired for citrus-driven, mineral-rich and often age-worthy Semillon wines, Hunter Valley is one of Australia’s oldest wine regions and was home to its very first commercial vineyards. The region’s warm summer nights coupled with autumn cloud cover and cool sea breezes allow full ripening and healthy acidity levels for Semillon; its diverse soils of volcanic basalt and white alluvial sands promote the development of Semillon’s delicate aromas. Hunter Valley Semillons can certainly be enjoyed in their youth but with 10 to 20 years in the cellar, the best examples develop intriguing notes of honey, browned butter and roasted nuts.
Chardonnay and Shiraz also do well in Hunter Valley.