Waxy,

       sea spray,

finger lime.

Club Member Exclusive Product

Multi Award-winning second vintage for the MMAD Vineyard project

The second vintage for the MMAD Vineyard team was a low-yielding and cool season, which warmed up nicely as we approached harvest. Fruit concentration is a feature of the year. Hand-picked fruit was crushed and fermented in concrete (50%) and whole bunch pressed and fermented in large old oak (50%). The result has frangipani aromas, zesty acid, but also generous fruit with cumquat and yellow nectarine flavours, and a touch of talcum powder. An intense and singular expression of old vine Chenin Blanc.

2024 Halliday Wine Companion Awards
Varietal Winner – Other Whites And Blends
98 Points
2023 McLaren Vale Wine Show
Best Traditional White Wine
Best Single Vineyard Any Style (Other Than Shiraz)
Best Single Vineyard Viticulturist for Murray Leake
Best Small Producer (MMAD Vineyard)

Tasting notes

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Notes

The Wine

The second vintage for the MMAD Vineyard team was a low yielding and cool season, which warmed up nicely as we approached harvest. Fruit concentration is a feature of the year.

Hand-picked fruit was crushed and fermented in concrete (50%) and whole bunch pressed and fermented in large old oak (50%).

The result has frangipani aromas, zesty acid, but also generous fruit with cumquat and yellow nectarine flavours, and a touch of talcum powder. An intense and singular expression of old vine Chenin Blanc.

Serving

Serving Temperature - 10 – 12°C

Cellaring Potential - Has the concentration and structure to develop fine tertiary characters in bottle over the next 15 years

ABV - 13.0%

The Vineyard

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.

The Story

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 name from their first initials. The MMAD wines aim to reflect the unique terroir of Blewitt Springs and the rare old vines that thrive there.

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Reviews

"The second release of this wine sees more depth and texture, reflecting an evolution of making after winemaker Adam Wadewitz got the measure of grape and site – on Maslin sands over ironstone. There’s chew and race in equal measure, with tart golden apples, ripe Meyer lemon, cool stone fruit, sea spray and savoury elements of crushed fennel seed, white pepper and a waxy chalkiness. Integrated barrel/mlf notes round out flavour and feel, with an intriguing saline slip to the palate complementing the subtle grip and the pleasing rip of natural acid. It’s a superb wine, thrillingly refined and detailed. The upward trajectory of this project is one to watch very closely."

Marcus Ellis, Halliday Wine Companion
97 POINTS

MMAD Vineyard Chenin Blanc

Magnum / 2022