Description
The old vines of Blewitt Springs are a precious resource, and an important part of Australia’s viticultural history.
In early 2021, MMAD Vineyard was purchased by a quartet made up of winemakers Martin Shaw and Adam Wadewitz, and Masters of Wine Michael Hill Smith and David LeMire.
MMAD takes its names from their first initials.
The MMAD wines aim to reflect the unique terroir of Blewitt Springs and the rare old vines that thrive there, namely the Grenache planted in 1939, Shiraz planted in 1942 and Chenin Blanc planted in 1964.
Lovely mild ripening conditions provided a Chenin Blanc with bright acidity and plenty of flavour.
The fruit was hand-picked, and approximately one third was whole bunch pressed to old French oak puncheons, and the balance crushed for more skin contact, and fermented in concrete vats before going to puncheons.
The wine combines a fine-ness from the whole bunch pressed component with more texture from the crushed fruit,and an array of characters including citrus peel, cumquat, hessian, sea spray and a hint of lanolin.
The palate is long and framed by crisp acidity, with exciting ageing potential.
Seriously good wine.
Intense, textural, a bit of x-factor and a finish that goes on and on.
Citrus juice and rind, river stones, a peppery note, a hint of the sea.
Some honey or perhaps honeyed but notes in there too; whispers on that sea breeze.
Refined and powerful at once.
MMAD has hit the ground running.
– Campbell Mattison, The Wine Front, 94 Points The Finer Details Style – White Wine Varietal – Chenin Blanc Country – Australia Region – Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale, South Australia Vintage – 2022 Bottle Size – 750ml ABV – 13% Closure – Screw Cap Cellaring Potential – Up to 15 years from vintage
