Crunchy,

       pomegranate,

spice.

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Halliday Wine Companion, 97 POINTS
TOP-RATED GRENACHE AND BLENDS FROM THE 2025 COMPANION

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.

Tasting notes

Reviews

Bri Hammond923 Shawandsmith 0130 Highres

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Notes

The Wine

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.

Serving

Serving Temperature - 16 – 18°C

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

ABV - 14.0%

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 the MMAD Vineyard label, and off its 1939-planted Blewitt Springs vineyard. About 15% whole bunches, fermented in wood and steel, maturation in concrete and large old French oak. Unlike the 2022 shiraz, this takes time to emerge from the glass. It’s all there, though. There’s a brooding quality at present, with nori, iodine and ferrous notes filtering up through dark red cherry, plum, raspberry and sultry florals. Some spicy, musky characters emerge with air. Tannin is a meaningful factor, a pleasingly natural grape-derived affair, rugged but never rustic. A seriously compelling wine, and further proof of how thrilling McLaren Vale grenache is right now, for both its quality and the unparalleled diversity in top-flight expressions.

Marcus Ellis
Halliday Wine Companion, 97 Points
TOP-RATED GRENACHE AND BLENDS FROM THE 2025 COMPANION

MMAD Vineyard Grenache

750ml / 2022

Magnum / 2021 Magnum / 2022