Massena

Winemaker Notes: Primitivo from dry grown vines on the rose quartz soils of our Dadd’s Block is hand harvested to ensure the grapes are delivered to the winery in whole clusters. Partially destemming into open top fermenters, around 30% whole clusters are included in the ferment, which is allowed to start naturally. In contact with skins for around 12 days with daily pumpovers early in ferment followed by punching down as the ferment finished, ensures gentle and controlled extraction. The wine is moved to bottle after only six months ageing, to capture its vibrancy and energy. Raspberry, black pepper, dried oregano and tobacco leaf make this a dry red that is atypical for the Barossa climate with its high end aromatics. The sweet, soft and round tannin palate bring back the familiarity of this warm climate and early released wine. Flavours of bright red fruits, wild herbs and bright acidity ensure that this wine is best enjoyed at the lunch or dinner table and drunk with friends in abundance without any pretentiousness.

Winemaker Notes: Primitivo from dry grown vines on the rose quartz soils of our Dadd’s Block is hand harvested to ensure the grapes are delivered to the winery in whole clusters. Partially destemming into open top fermenters, around 30% whole clusters are included in the ferment, which is allowed to start naturally. In contact with skins for around 12 days with daily pumpovers early in ferment followed by punching down as the ferment finished, ensures gentle and controlled extraction. The wine is moved to bottle after only six months ageing, to capture its vibrancy and energy. Raspberry, black pepper, dried oregano and tobacco leaf make this a dry red that is atypical for the Barossa climate with its high end aromatics. The sweet, soft and round tannin palate bring back the familiarity of this warm climate and early released wine. Flavours of bright red fruits, wild herbs and bright acidity ensure that this wine is best enjoyed at the lunch or dinner table and drunk with friends in abundance without any pretentiousness.

Winemaker Notes:  Mataro from dry grown vines on the rose quartz soils of our Dadd’s Block is fermented with 30% whole cluster inclusion and blended with other parcels of Mataro from Light Pass and Greenock. We then add some old bush vine Grenache from the Barossa foothills where the sandy soils are shallow on calcrete and limestone. This complex Grenache fruit adds spiciness and intensity. Add to that some Greenock and Tanunda Shiraz and we have a wine that has a mouthful of everything superb about a Southern Rhone styled blend. Daily pump overs early in ferment, followed by punching down as the ferment finished, ensure gentle and controlled extraction. Aged in tank and barrel, each parcel is selected to add as much interest as possible.
Mataro gives roasted cumin, cinnamon, peppercorn and savoury profile that is complimented by dark cherry and kirsch nuances from the Grenache. Some raspberry sweetness from the Tanunda Shiraz complete a truly complex and intriguing blended wine. A true reflection of the heralded 2018 vintage, where volume and weight is there on show, but it lets all the complexities of these aromatic varieties take centre stage. The usual firm tannin line suggests potential for time in the cellar.

Winemaker Notes:  Mataro from dry grown vines on the rose quartz soils of our Dadd’s Block is fermented with 30% whole cluster inclusion and blended with other parcels of Mataro from Light Pass and Greenock. We then add some old bush vine Grenache from the Barossa foothills where the sandy soils are shallow on calcrete and limestone. This complex Grenache fruit adds spiciness and intensity. Add to that some Greenock and Tanunda Shiraz and we have a wine that has a mouthful of everything superb about a Southern Rhone styled blend. Daily pump overs early in ferment, followed by punching down as the ferment finished, ensure gentle and controlled extraction. Aged in tank and barrel, each parcel is selected to add as much interest as possible.
Mataro gives roasted cumin, cinnamon, peppercorn and savoury profile that is complimented by dark cherry and kirsch nuances from the Grenache. Some raspberry sweetness from the Tanunda Shiraz complete a truly complex and intriguing blended wine. A true reflection of the heralded 2018 vintage, where volume and weight is there on show, but it lets all the complexities of these aromatic varieties take centre stage. The usual firm tannin line suggests potential for time in the cellar.

James Halliday "A paucity of information accompanying the Massena wines but here fruit sourced from vineyards in Greenock, Stone Well and Vine Vale, some whole bunches, some extended skin contact and basket-pressed to used French barriques and puncheons for 18 months. Unfined and unfiltered. It's come together brilliantly. It has richness and a depth of flavour matched to a brightness and vivacity across its fuller-bodied palate. Supple, savoury tannins and just lovely fruit shining through."

James Halliday "A paucity of information accompanying the Massena wines but here fruit sourced from vineyards in Greenock, Stone Well and Vine Vale, some whole bunches, some extended skin contact and basket-pressed to used French barriques and puncheons for 18 months. Unfined and unfiltered. It's come together brilliantly. It has richness and a depth of flavour matched to a brightness and vivacity across its fuller-bodied palate. Supple, savoury tannins and just lovely fruit shining through."

Sam Kim, Wine Orbit “This is impressively fruited and lifted, showing blackberry, sweet plum, cedar, tapenade and dark cocoa aromas on the nose, followed by a richly textured palate offering succulent fruit intensity with expansive mouthfeel. Well framed by fine dusty tannins, finishing delectable and highly enjoyable. At its best: now to 2036

Sam Kim, Wine Orbit “This is impressively fruited and lifted, showing blackberry, sweet plum, cedar, tapenade and dark cocoa aromas on the nose, followed by a richly textured palate offering succulent fruit intensity with expansive mouthfeel. Well framed by fine dusty tannins, finishing delectable and highly enjoyable. At its best: now to 2036

96+ - 97 Points - Stuart McCloskey “The bouquet is wonderfully fine. Freshness is delivered in bucket loads of lime zest, lemongrass, fresh ginger juice, the faintest whiff of spice, preserved (salted) lemon, Meyer lemon and a long finish of minerals / flint. The palate is executed to perfection. The texture, which is often absent in young Aussie Rieslings, is generous. The acidity is mouth-watering (lip-smacking) and drills a super-long line of freshness. Taut, lean, precise and a wine filled with energy – I love the tonic water feature. The fruit and texture is svelte whilst maintaining grip. The length has no ending. An outstanding, bone dry release from ancient plantings (1946). Delicious as it is today - this will only get better over the coming 10-15 years… Served using Zalto Universal glassware.”

96+ - 97 Points - Stuart McCloskey “The bouquet is wonderfully fine. Freshness is delivered in bucket loads of lime zest, lemongrass, fresh ginger juice, the faintest whiff of spice, preserved (salted) lemon, Meyer lemon and a long finish of minerals / flint. The palate is executed to perfection. The texture, which is often absent in young Aussie Rieslings, is generous. The acidity is mouth-watering (lip-smacking) and drills a super-long line of freshness. Taut, lean, precise and a wine filled with energy – I love the tonic water feature. The fruit and texture is svelte whilst maintaining grip. The length has no ending. An outstanding, bone dry release from ancient plantings (1946). Delicious as it is today - this will only get better over the coming 10-15 years… Served using Zalto Universal glassware.”

Sam Kim, Wine Orbit “Sweetly ripe and immediately appealing, the splendidly lifted bouquet shows dark plum, olive, cumin and cured meat aromas, followed by a gorgeously rounded palate that's silky and flowing. Elegant yet generous with richness and persistency. At its best: now to 2030.”

Sam Kim, Wine Orbit “Sweetly ripe and immediately appealing, the splendidly lifted bouquet shows dark plum, olive, cumin and cured meat aromas, followed by a gorgeously rounded palate that's silky and flowing. Elegant yet generous with richness and persistency. At its best: now to 2030.”

97+ Points - Stuart McCloskey “Single vineyard wine from the distinguished Stonegarden vineyard in the Eden Valley, with old vine heritage and limited production. The nose is dark, brooding and intense – warm earth, dried rose petal and dried cake spice mix lift with aeration. Dry, mountainous herbs unfurl with old sage bush, rosemary and dried thyme. A little old wood fire smoke adds to the intrigue. The palate surprises with a graceful wash of sweet black and red fruits tinged with mineral, smoke and earth. The tannins are silky and the acidity is bright and alive. Rhône-esque without emulating. Vivid and highly inviting. Such a lovely wine. Drink now to 2030. Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware”

97 Points - James Halliday "Hand-picked in two parcels from the original ancient vine plantings (1857), fermented and aged on skins in a ceramic egg until Oct '17. The second parcel was 100% whole-bunch fermented and matured in used puncheons. You might guess a $100+ price. This is a really attractive varietally pure wine, with very good colour and structure."