Aaron Mercer's new self-named venture is going from strength to strength, and is delivering some exceptional wines from across NSW.Pale lemon. Citrus, stonefruit and hints of almond bread. Restrained and light-bodied with a fresh mix of peach, pear and lime zest, refreshing acidity, zippy mouthfeel and hints of glazed ginger on the dry finish. An uncomplicated early-drinker.

Handpicked in three passes through the vineyard, only selecting the perfect bunches on each run. The fruit was destemmed to small open fermenters for a brief cold soaking period where intense colour was gained immediately. Fermented at 18-25 ?C for approximately 9 days. Gently pressed to large format French oak barrels (~20% new) for almost 12 months maturation, before blending and bottling. Deep purple. Intense dark fruits coupled with lovely spice and red berries. Structural with powerful fruit, a long intense palate with seamless tannin.

The intensely perfumed, sumptuous and seductive Brokenwood Graveyard articulates the very best of Hunter Shiraz. It is arguably the Hunter Valley's greatest red wine of the contemporary era. The east-facing Graveyard vineyard, first planted out in 1968, was once earmarked in 1882 as the Pokolbin cemetery but this did not eventuate.Young elemental Graveyard typically shows ginger bread, blackberry aniseed fruit, plenty of savoury oak and floral herb garden notes. The opulent gamey French polish characters develop with time bringing a rich palimpsest of aromas and flavours.

The Bimbadgen McDonalds Rd Shz McDonalds Rd 2021 is a standout wine from Hunter Valley, showcasing the exceptional quality of the region. Aromas of ripe dark cherries, plums, and blackberries are balanced by subtle hints of oak and spice. On the palate, velvety tannins give way to a burst of berry flavors, with a touch of vanilla and dark chocolate on the finish. The wine boasts a deep ruby color, hinting at its full-bodied nature. Produced in the 2021 vintage, this wine exemplifies the expertise and dedication of Bimbadgen Estate, a renowned winery based in New South Wales. Perfectly aged and well-structured, this wine is a testament to the rich and complex flavors that can be achieved in the Hunter Valley. Enjoy it now or cellar for even more complexity in the years to come.

David Hook's Shiraz is medium bodied, some vibrant characters of spicy red berries and soft rounding tannins with hints of vanilla oak on the palate. Ripe fruits richness with a lengthy finish. A great number to have handy when friends drop by.

Graveyard Vineyard is the jewel in the Brokenwood crown, responsible for the company's flagship wines. The vineyard was planted with Shiraz vines in 1970 - extremely heavy clay soils, yields are low, but fruit flavour is intense through employment of meticulous vinification techniques. Strong lifted aromas of sweet earth and dark cherry greet the olfactory senses. Oak features, but will soften and integrate given some patience. Initial flavours of dark chocolate and ripe plums are beautifully lashed to ripe tannins lending an edge of cedar.