Graveyard Shiraz History
Graveyard Vineyard is the jewel in the Brokenwood crown, responsible for the company's flagship white and red wines. The vineyard was initially planted with Shiraz vines in 1970. With extremely heavy clay soils, yields are low, but fruit flavour is intense through employment of meticulous vinification techniques. The plans from the original cemetery, dating back to 1882, which occupied the land are displayed in the Brokenwood tasting room. Currently standing at some 14 hectares under vine, the Graveyard Vineyard is comprised of the following:
- Shiraz - 25.5 acres (13.5 acres young vine on rootstock; 12 acres old vine; 4 young vines, own roots and cuttings off old vines)
2006
Looking back at the previous vintages, the lead up to 2006 mirrored that of 2003, except for a mere 60mm of rain in one downpour right in the middle of winter. The actual vintage conditions were very similar from the heat through to the low crops.
If the Hunter didn’t get that 60mm the rain would have matched winter 2002, with 120mm over six months. For July and August 2005 there was only two rains days, both in July for 7mm. Again the district pipeline scheme paid its way with extensive winter irrigation. Spring/summer saw good rain to lead into what was to be one of the hottest summers on record.
Christmas Day 2005 and then New Years Day 2006 were both 45 degrees Celsius. By late January the Hunter had had another 7 – 10 days of plus 40C weather. What was looking like a normal start, after Australia Day, became a 14th January start for many.
The shiraz was certainly early by at least 2 to 3 weeks. Again low yields, some down as much as 30%. The last of the old vine shiraz was picked on the 20th February. In some years we haven’t started till the 1st March and a week earlier than 2005.
2005
‘Character building’, a term we use a lot in the Hunter Valley. Our vineyard guys estimate four separate hail storms across the Graveyard, plus four days over 40oC and 50mm of rain in January! All the old vine shiraz however, was picked in very good condition and ripeness.
Comparisons to the 2004 are inevitable and while similar in texture and fruit weight, the alcohol weight gives this wine a much ‘rounder’ feel. A wine with great ‘line’ – a Len Evan’s expression used to convey structure, balance and length. A comparison to other Graveyard Shiraz is difficult as it is quite the complete wine but the alcohol and style is close to 1993/1994
2004
In the Hunter Valley a glorious, but dry winter followed the excellent 2003 vintage. With only 5 days of rain from June to September irrigation was essential during this time. A very good bud burst and fruit set with a bit much fruit on some blocks. Spring was mainly fine, with one heavy downpour in late November.
Christmas Day was a scorcher at 40oC plus and plenty more followed over the next few weeks. Some blocks of shiraz , fruit thinned in early January to help the vines cope with the heat and lack of rain.
Mid January rain (22mm) on time on the 17th, followed by 40oC, then 54mm a few days later, followed by 40oC then another 19mm!!! If the vines weren’t baffled and knocked around, the staff certainly was!!!
Three weeks of fine weather followed enabling all the Chardonnay and Semillon to be harvested in perfect condition. The waiting game for the reds didn’t go our way, with 123mm of rain following on the 25th & 26th February, 2004. Further rain in early March meant lower than desired sugars but at least no mould problems. The Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz was all picked by 9th March. Medium bodied reds but not out of the norm for the Hunter Valley.
2003
The preseason bushfires in the Hunter Valley are getting a bit too repetitive for all vignerons. The backdrop of the Brokenback ranges behind the vineyard became a furnace on December 2, 2002 and burnt from north to south over the following 5 days. Some vineyards were destroyed at Broke, thankfully none in the lower Hunter.
Nearly 90mm of rain from the 9th to the 11th December eased things considerably. The previous rain of quantity was 25mm in May 2002 and prior to that 43mm in February! January 2003 stayed warm to hot and picking was underway on the 21st January. Quality? In a word, excellent!
Great flavours in the Semillon, all picked between 10.5 and 11.5ba not the ‘herbaceous’ edge as 2000, more citrus and cut grass flavours with surprisingly good acids. The reds are as good, not as alcohol ripe as 2000. Very good savoury and earth characters and yes, probably smoky to burnt briar. Wines to watch out for!!
2002
The calendar year 2001 was one of the Hunter Valley’s driest (although not quite 1991) with only a total of 21 rainfall days in the back 7 months, for a total of 230mm. As usual winter irrigation was essential and the vines got away to a great budburst. Spring was dry and mild to hot. The summer really ‘kicked-in’ in December with several 40oC plus days and fierce winds. Bushfires surrounded the valley but no damage in the vineyard area.
January continued hot and dry with some rain at the end of the month. The vines were coping well and good quality appeared certain, with a return to normal ripening picking in the first week of February.
Of course this is the Hunter Valley and by 10 February 135mm (5.5 inches) had fallen. The Semillon was picked before any break down although with low sugar. Very traditional ‘lean’, citrus styles and perfect for long term ageing. Chardonnay held up well and the Graveyard Shiraz produced some great fruit for such a year, backed up with hand sorting at the winery. Very similar to 1999 and 2001.
2001
No rain between mid-December and late January 2001, (38 days), enabled timely spraying and vine training. Ominous clouds built up over the last days of January and by 10 February 135mm (5.5”) had fallen. Semillons were harvested over that time and the wait was on for the Shiraz. Great lean lemon/mineral Semillons, including two very good reserve wines.
More rain through February and into early March meant careful bunch selection in picking the Graveyard Shiraz. Hopes were not high but later barrel tastings had shown a very impressive Graveyard Shiraz.
2000
The 18th Brokenwood vintage and 17th of Graveyard Shiraz for Winemaker / Managing Director Iain Riggs. The 1999 year was the wettest in the Hunter Valley since the torrential early start to 1990. It just beat 1992 by 40mm. An unusually wet winter leading to excellent spring growth, and continued rain. The new millennium favoured the Hunter Valley with one of the best vintages on record. Excellent yields, sugars and fruit flavours especially for Graveyard Shiraz.
1999
A usual scenario from the Hunter Valley is cold but dry mid-year months. In recent years, 1994 stand out with only 34mm being recorded in the six months between May and October. In contrast, the 1998 winter saw 507mm of rain over the same six months. Hence excellent budburst and spring growth. Rain in late January and early February kept the sugar level in Semillon. Some vineyards were picked even earlier due to disease. The typical lean grassy characters of Semillon are evident in the wines with low to medium alcohols. A response to the Chardonnay with moderate alcohol and good flavours. Dry conditions at the end of February and early March meant excellent conditions for the reds. Deep colours and typical dry savoury flavours. A year similar to ’95. Semillon will age gracefully, in the traditional style.
1998
Early ripening saw a rare January start to vintage in the Hunter Valley - two weeks earlier than 1997. Hot dry conditions were experienced through to January, resulting in low crops. The lack of heavy rain throughout vintage has put us ahead in terms of quality - overall, 1998 looks like emulating the superb vintages of 1986, 1987 and 1994. Semillon and Chardonnay were picked with excellent sugar levels and rich in flavour, while the reds look like being the best since 1991 and 1994. An excellent year for the herbaceous Semillon style Brokenwood is synonymous with.
1997
Almost identical to the previous year. Again, a good bud burst and flowering. Hot weather in October/November and then constant cloud cover December/January. The Hunter Valley showed its sub-tropical traits with no sign of the heatwave conditions of the Southern areas. Rain at harvest, with low to very low sugars. A longer skin contact time to increase the flavours of the Semillon. A lean, austere Reserve made.
1996
A continuation of a dry/cold winter. In 1995, early irrigation saw a good bud burst, with follow up of spring rain. Fruit set was excellent, enabling a return to good yields. No downpours at harvest, although the rain required the usual early picking. Lean, grassy Semillons. An excellent Reserve made.
1995
The disastrous yield of the 1995 vintage has its origins in January 1994 (and probably before with the lack of heavy downpours since February 1992). The very dry/cold mid-year of 1994 with no rain in May to September and low sub-soil moisture resulted in poor growth and low fruit set. Some vineyards, for example the Graveyard Vineyard, were irrigated early and often to ensure a reasonable yield. The phenomenon of “Retarded Spring Growth” was Australia-wide. Some rain fell between November and January. Hunter Valley yields were low but quality surprisingly high, especially Semillon. A good indication is the number of “Reserve” wines bottled by Hunter wineries.
1994
July 1993 was unusual with four inches of rain. Spring rain was even over the last four months. Christmas and New Year saw extreme heat and bushfires surrounding the Hunter Valley — the closest being at Broke. The vines appeared to survive although with little growth after the rain in the back half of January. The rain was on-time at the end of the second week of February. Generally regarded as a high quality vintage, with Semillon and Shiraz being the highlights.
1993
Another winter drought followed the 1992 vintage, with may to August rain only spasmodic — not even three inches fell. Sub-soil moisture and adequate irrigation ensured a good bud burst although growth was slow until a very wet December (seven inches of rain). Very much a recovery vintage following 1991 and even 1992. February rain did not cause too much trouble. Yields generally down.
1992
The 1991 drought continued through to December, when the Hunter received four inches of rain. The necessary irrigation emptied the already depleted dams. The Lower Hunter was facing up to the fact that yields were not only down, but vineyards were actually being lost. Just on the start of picking, 10 inches of rain fell over a two week period. Quality varied, with the Semillon picked early and selectively.
1991
The second half of 1990 was the exact opposite of the first. Virtually no rain was recorded in May to September with only 3.5 inches in October to December. Overcast conditions in January and low yields at harvest ensured one of the best Hunter vintages in years. Semillon grapes were picked before excessively ripe.
1990
The rain of the 1989 vintage continued up till June 1989 with a total of 843mm or 33 inches falling. In a land of contrasts, it probably should have not been a surprise that the next six months were virtual drought with only six inches of rain being recorded. The dry land grapes were showing signs of stress and the dams coped with the necessary irrigation. Rain started on January 8, and did not cease until February 12, with a total rainfall of 17.5 inches being recorded. The Semillon was picked immediately.
1989
The growing season started in spectacular fashion with 100mm of rain in September. What appeared to become the norm followed with a very hot, dry October including fierce westerly winds. Semillon showed usual grassy lifts.
1988
Budburst got underway with reasonably hot September/October weather. A good boost with rain starting in mid-November. Over the two months to mid-January, five inches of rain had fallen. Heavy but sporadic rain continued until February 14. Semillon was all picked before the crop sustained any damage.
1987
A dry mid year 1986 leading up to the flowering and causing some early stress in dry land vines. Good November rain - six inches followed by a further dry spell. Follow-up rain in January and long periods of cloud cover meant vintage conditions were excellent. Semillon was slow to ripen.
1986
Sufficient rain, good bud burst, early growth and mild ripening conditions all add up to excellent fruit quality. Dry conditions in February and March (but with good soil moisture) saw all varieties ripen evenly and in some instances achieve very high sugars — especially the Semillon. An all-round high quality vintage.
1985
Rain continued through 1984 with the resultant bud burst and growth being very strong. Hunter soils are not known for their deep root zone and high water retention and a dry December/January saw some vines under stress.
1984
Recovery from the 1983 summer started post-vintage and good rains continued through the year. Christmas Day exceeded 40O, with rain starting on Boxing Day. Continual rain throughout January, February and March caused problems with low sugar levels, botrytis rot and difficult working conditions. The Semillon benefited from the cool ripening. On historical grounds, this Semillon is long-lived.
1983
Budburst in September 1982 was helped by six inches of rain. This was to be the last rain for some time. An extremely hot and dry six months followed. All varieties were severely stressed with low yields and high sugars the norm. Concentrated, full bodied reds and rich high alcohol whites were produced. One period of five days saw the temperature top 40O each day.
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