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The UK's No.1 Australian Wine Specialist   MMADVINEYARD Arguably, one of the hottest ‘new’ releases of 2022 – We are delighted to share our very small allocation of MMAD…  THE STORYThe old vines of Blewitt Springs are a precious resource and an important part of Australia’s viticultural heritage. 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 Vineyard wines aim to reflect the unique terroir of Blewitt Springs and the rare old vines that grow there.  THE PEOPLEMMAD Vineyard is owned by a partnership of four wine professionals, Martin Shaw, Michael Hill Smith MW, Adam Wadewitz and David LeMire MW. Michael and Martin, who are cousins, founded Adelaide Hills winery Shaw + Smith together in 1989. Adam and David are now co-CEOs at Shaw + Smith, where Adam is Chief Winemaker, and David Head of Sales and Marketing. In recent years Michael, Martin, Adam, and David have worked together closely on other single vineyard based projects including Tolpuddle Vineyard in Tasmania, and the Shaw + Smith single vineyard wines from Balhannah and Lenswood in the Adelaide Hills. They are thrilled to be collaborating on this exciting single vineyard project in Blewitt Springs. THE VINEYARDThe fine Maslin sands in Blewitt Springs, along with the raised elevation that exposes the vines to fresh south-westerlies from the Gulf St Vincent, give an aromatic character that is as distinctive as it is enticing. Below the sand, and the element that drew the MMAD partners to this vineyard above all else is a layer of ironstone that adds both structure and complexity to the wine. This is rare earth, and the old vines are a precious resource and part of our viticultural history that we are grateful to have the chance to work with. MMAD Vineyard has Grenache that was all planted in 1939, as well as Shiraz and Chenin Blanc, the oldest of which were planted in 1941 and 1964 respectively. Our philosophy in the vineyard is to continuously improve soil and vine health, and to promote diversity of plants, insects, and the microbiome. The vineyard pre-dates us and will outlive us, and we have a great opportunity to help it thrive during our time farming it.   THE REGIONBlewitt Springs is home to some remarkable vineyards, with a unique combination of sandy soils, coastal breezes, and grand old vines. In the case of Grenache in particular, there is a special synergy between the place and the variety, which becomes even more pronounced when the third element, vine age, is added. The sandy soils of Blewitt Springs have long been known to give the wines beautiful perfume. In some sites, there is also ironstone, which gives the wine structure to match the beauty. The altitude of 150 – 220 metres means the sea breezes from Gulf St Vincent cool the vines, and keep the acids fresh. The combination of these elements has seen Blewitt Springs become home to some of our most revered ‘rare earth,’ perfectly suited to making wines that have an ethereal perfume, intensity but lightness, and the ability to age gracefully.  THE WINESAll wines will be shipped Monday 21st November for delivery Tuesday 22nd, unless you request an alternative date. Crowned Best Chenin Blanc of Australia and Best 2022-2021 Chenin Blanc at the 2022 Australian Chenin Blanc Challenge Awards, part of the Swan Valley Wine Show.An excellent result for a wine that marks its first vintage this year. 2021 MMAD Chenin Blanc96 Points - Wine Pilot “The highly anticipated MMAD wines have finally burst onto the market and its hard to imagine a more excitable audience than myself for this Chenin Blanc. It wafts out of the glass with Poire William pear, glacé mustard fruits and wet sandstone. A delicate lily of the valley perfume is carried through with a real push of persistent natural acidity. A hint of salinity keeps the drinker looking for more. I’m impressed by the fineness of this wine and cannot wait to see how it will develop over time, it’s got all the framework for building.” £28.95 per bottle Also available in bond  2021 MMAD Grenache97 Points – James Halliday “"Its clarity matches its freshness; 10% whole bunches, 90% whole berry, 20 days in Italian-made tulip-shaped concrete 4-tonne fermenters, matured 15 months in old French puncheons. The highly fragrant blend of cherry and plum drives a long, fine, elegant palate." Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front "Truly beautiful grenache. Sweet and ripe but savoury and, even, crunchy with it. Best of many worlds. Woodsmoke, herbs, raspberry, cloves and a sweet earth character. The presser mentions pomegranate and it’s a good call; it beings that seed-like crunch to the wine. Tannin is ultra fine and the finish is noteworthy. Blewitt Springs is a great place to grow red wine grapes and here, again, it’s off and away, in full voice." £40.95 per bottle Also available in bond  2021 MMAD Shiraz98 Points - Wine Pilot “An abundance of overgrown blackberries, mulberry and dark chocolate. Crushed cocoa nibs, vanilla bean and cinnamon make for an intoxicating aroma. It’s all here, all the reasons we adore Shiraz. Fruit for days, generosity, fine acidity and a smoother than silk finish. The line and length of the wine tell a tale of sophisticated Shiraz handling, that will age for many years to come. A total delight of a wine that would not disappoint even the snobbiest Shiraz drinker. Drink with an excellent beef wellington or Sunday pot roast.” 97 Points – James Halliday “"Deep, bright colour; a wine of tremendous presence, the whole bunch component 15-20%, 15 days on skins, 33% in concrete vessels, the balance in stainless steel and used oak. A magical combination of techniques to produce blackberry, licorice and dark chocolate flavours, the tannins almost silky." £40.95 per bottle Also available in bond    2021 Shaw + Smith M3 Adelaide Hills Chardonnay98 Points - Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal "Pale colour. Flinty grapefruit, lemon curd aromas aromas with cashew nut, roasted almond notes. Classically styled with pure grapefruit, bitter lemon flavours, fine loose knit/lacy textures, very attractive mid-palate creaminess and underlying grilled nut/ hint vanilla complexity. Bitter sweetness and fresh persistent crispness lengthen the palate. A cracker at its price point with superb mineral freshness. Drink now – medium term." £31.50 per bottle Also available in bond   2020 Shaw + Smith Lenswood Vineyard Adelaide Hills Chardonnay97 Points - James Suckling "Such a deep nose, with a wide spectrum of candied citrus, fresh butter and stunning, leesy complexity. Great concentration and restrained richness, with wonderful mineral freshness give this near-perfect balance. So much drive at the extremely long, lemon and lime-zest finish." Available in bond |
