MMAD Vineyard, Blewitt Springs Chenin Blanc
Vintage: 2022
| Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | MM401B22 | 6 x 75 | Stelvin Lux | Available |
Producer
MMAD Vineyard is a partnership between Tolpuddle and Shaw + Smith’s founders, Martin Shaw and Michael Hill-Smith MW, chief winemaker and CEO Adam Wadewitz and CEO David LeMire MW. MMAD was conceived as an acronym of the team’s initials.
For many years, this talented quartet had been searching for a site in the McLaren Vale. In early 2021 they purchased an established vineyard in Blewitt Springs, attracted by the potential of old vine Chenin Blanc, Shiraz and Grenache.
Blewitt Springs is a sought-after, high-elevation area of the McLaren Vale, characterised by its cool, wet climate. Here, grapes generally ripen two to three weeks later than the rest of the district. The 16.5-hectare MMAD vineyard is 200 metres above sea level and the vines are exposed to fresh south-westerly winds blowing in from the Gulf of St Vincent.
The MMAD vineyard neighbour’s local grower Sue Trott’s fabled site, which is the source of one of Willunga’s award-winning single vineyard wines. Its classic Maslin sands enhance the aromatics derived from the cooler position of Blewitt Springs. Beneath the sands of the MMAD vineyard is a layer of ironstone pebbles. The combination of sand, ironstone and cooling winds lends perfume and structure to the wines. Farmed using organic principles, though not certified, there are permanent mid-row cover crops, alternating with green mulch, in every other row. MMAD’s oldest vines, Grenache and Shiraz, were planted in 1939 and 1941 respectively, while the Chenin Blanc dates back to 1964.
Just as this team did at Tolpuddle, a decade ago in Tasmania, with MMAD they plan to take an existing site and, through improved viticulture, transform it into an outstanding single vineyard. The Chenin is beautifully expressive, with an arresting texture and a bright and lively acidity that indicates an exciting potential for ageing. The Shiraz displays striking old vine concentration with notes of mulberry, blackberry, cinnamon and dark chocolate. It is generous, layered and complex. Finally, the Grenache is wonderfully refined with an intense core of red and blue fruit. There is a purity and a lightness that belies the fullness of the fruit.
Vineyards
Located in the dress circle of Blewitt Springs, MMAD Vineyard was first planted in 1939, and the oldest Chenin Blanc blocks date from 1964. The vineyard has the fine Maslin sands found in Blewitt Springs, and is exposed to 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.
Vintage
The 2022 vintage was the second for the MMAD vineyard team and began with a very wet winter, with above average rainfall filling the soil moisture to capacity and maintaining strong vine growth into spring. After a dry December, decent rainfall in late January was welcomed and supported healthy vine growth and berry development. Veraison was later than average which contributed to a long ripening period, therefore allowing for excellent flavour development.
Vinification
The fruit was hand-picked. Half of the fruit was crushed and fermented in concrete while the remaining 50% was whole bunch pressed and fermented in large old oak barrels. Full malolactic fermentation took place and the wine spent 12 months maturing in old oak before bottling.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
The wine combines a finesse from the whole bunch pressed component with more texture from the crushed fruit, and an array of characters including citrus peel, kumquat, wet stone, hessian, and sea-spray. The palate is long and framed by crisp acidity. The wine has exciting ageing potential and is an intense and singular expression of old vine Chenin Blanc.
Alcohol (ABV)
13%
Acidity
5.9 g/l
Residual Sugar
0.3 g/l
pH
3.25
Other wines from this producer
Producer | Wine | Product Code | Features | Style | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MMAD Vineyard | Blewitt Springs Shiraz | MM402 | R | Factsheet | |
| Blewitt Springs Grenache | MM403 | R | Factsheet |