The vintage was cool and late, with low yields, and the perfect finish to the season as temperatures warmed up toward harvest. This wine has rich red cherry and raspberry fruit, with some opulence on the front palate. Then the grainy, firm tannins come to the fore and form the backbone of the astonishingly long palate. There’s an energy and density that showcases what Grenache from old vines can do in Blewitt Springs. About 15% whole bunches, and fermented in wood and stainless steel before malolactic fermentation and maturation in concrete and large old French oak barrels.

Located in the dress circle of Blewitt Springs, MMAD Vineyard has Grenache that was first planted in 1939, as well as Shiraz and Chenin Blanc, the oldest of which were planted in 1941 and 1964 respectively. The vineyard has the fine Maslin sands found in Blewitt Springs, and is exposed to the fresh sea breezes from the south west. Below the sand is a layer of ironstone pebbles, and this combination of sand, ironstone, and cooling winds gives both perfume and structure to the wines.

"This is ballistically good. I doubt that I’ll taste anything much better from these shores over the next 12 months. The first thing you notice is the plushness, which is always welcome, but it’s the the finish that takes things to eleven. Wow, really, this wine has a show-stopping finish on it. It’s blessed with red and blue berry flavours, cedarwood, roasted spice and earth, but itemising the flavours of this wine kind of misses the point. It’s like focussing on the colour of a tidal wave. The complete and utter command of the final flourish of flavour and tannin here feels, as you swallow, like a high water mark. I’m sold, totally sold, on this wine."

Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front

Alc/Vol: 14.0%