This mature yet flamboyant red blew me away

2006 Brokenwood Verona Vineyard Shiraz, Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia (£97.15 for a case of six bottles, £17.99 each, Marks & Spencer Wines Direct).

I was delighted to be asked to be the international judge at the recent Hunter Valley Wine Show it was a fascinating week of tasting, with some very serious dinners, too!

One of the estates which performed at a very high level (gaining five gold medals and a trophy) was Brokenwood. This is one of their wines and it is extraordinary value for money when you buy it from M&S by the six-pack. Made from 40-year-old vines, from a single vineyard site opposite the famous Graveyard Vineyard, the dark red clay soils in Verona vineyard are the clue to its hypnotic flavours. With a dark chocolate texture and amazing silkiness, accompanied by forest fruit notes and sweet plums, this is initially a very exotic wine.

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