A late and cool growing season gave us smaller, more flavourful bunches and lifted aromatics. There is a richness and density of fruit on the mid-palate that reflects another year of our farming the vineyard, and lower yields. We are starting to uncover the full potential of these old vines. A mix of crushed and whole bunch pressed fruit was fermented in both concrete and large format old oak bring texture to the wine. The textured palate is balanced with a mineral, saline edge and long, pithy finish.
The 2023 Chenin Blanc has the concentration and structure to develop fine tertiary characters in the bottle over the next 15 years.
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.
50% of the pickings were crushed and fermented to concrete and 50% was whole-bunch pressed and fermented in large-format seasoned oak. The Blewitt Springs vineyard was planted in 1939 and one does not often taste 80 year+ plus Chenin Blanc in Australia. As of 2022 the vineyard is solely in the management hands of the MMAD team. Flannel flowers, pomelo pith and pumice stone. White apple flesh, nectarine and lemon sorbet. It’s delicately floral with marine accents. Driftwood, salt spray and ozonic aromas. A white almond crunch with a briney salinity, the wine coils and stretches along the palate. The interplay of acidity, fine lacey phenolics and great length of flavour is becoming a trademark of style for this wine. Beautifully positioned for drinking with delicate raw seafood. Drink now and will cellar upwards of 8 years. Omakase come AT me.