MMAD Vineyard, Blewitt Springs Grenache
Vintage: 2021
| Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | MM403B21 | 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 Grenache blocks date from 1939. 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.
Vintage
The 2021 season in Blewitt Springs started with significant rainfall throughout September and October, leading to the wettest spring since 2016. This was followed by a warmer than average November which pushed flowering through quickly. December and January were mild (both below the long-term mean) and the absence of extreme heat (only a short heatwave in January), meant that the vines remained healthy and hydrated. Rain in late January (10 - 20mm) and early February (20 - 30mm), boosted soil moisture but wasn’t enough to cause disease pressure. Veraison was later than average and along with a mild and dry March, contributed to a longer and slower ripening period. These lovely mild ripening conditions gave fruit with bright acidity, purity, balance, and plenty of flavour. It is hard to imagine a better season for the first MMAD vintage.
Vinification
The grapes were handpicked, mostly destemmed, and fermented as whole berries in open concrete and stainless steel. They were then aged in used (three to five years old) 500 litre puncheons. The wine was in elevage on fine lees and was racked before bottling in June 2022.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
Lovely mild ripening conditions gave Grenache with an intense core of red and blue fruit. The wine has purity and density, but also a lightness that belies the energy and power of the fruit. Raspberry coulis and pomegranate notes sit alongside fennel seed and cumin, and flavours continue to unfurl as the wine sits in the glass.
Alcohol (ABV)
14%
Acidity
4.8 g/l
Residual Sugar
0.3 g/l
pH
3.42
Other wines from this producer
Producer | Wine | Product Code | Features | Style | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MMAD Vineyard | Blewitt Springs Chenin Blanc | MM401 | W | Factsheet | |
| Blewitt Springs Shiraz | MM402 | R | Factsheet |