MMAD Shiraz 2024

Blewitt Springs based MMAD is quite the all-star act. The mature vineyard site was acquired in 2021 by Michael Hill Smith MW, Martin Shaw, Adam Wadewitz, and David LeMire MW (the initials forming MMAD). The 16.5 hectare site features 87yr old Grenache vines, 85yr Shiraz and super old, in relative terms, Chenin at 62yrs of age.

"Very deep colour, dark and purply, the bouquet loaded at first sniff with smoky reduction backed by graphite, tar, blackstrap licorice and black pepper, plum and blackberry. A floral lift emerged with time in the glass. The tannins are firm and strongly gripping: this is a tremendously concentrated and power-packed shiraz that needs time and will be very long lived. Incredibly impressive." 97pts | Huon Hooke | The Real Review

"This has been the surprise packet of the MMAD wines, with it duelling for position with the grenache and chenin blanc. Some whole bunch, concrete and oak vat for ferment, then raised in older, larger oak, as usual. Saint-Joseph resonances. Evocatively aromatic and spicily so. Smoky, darkly mineral. Blackberry pastille, tapenade, lavender, grilled game meat, crème de violette, iodine and nori, star anise, ground clove, allspice, green and black peppercorns, malted barley, freshly ground coffee, powdery rust. Like the grenache, the nose holds such intrigue, demands attention. That’s matched by the silky flow of the old-vine fruit on the palate and the superfine natural tannin. This is blisteringly good, again." 97pts | Marcus Ellis | Halliday Wine Companion

"A briar of black fruit and savoury, creeping herbs—bilberry, dark cherry and pepperberry layered with notes of kombu, coastal rosemary and wild, untamed greens. There’s an earthiness here too: turned soil and dark, stony sand grounding the aromatic lift. It feels like an afternoon bush walk— banksia brushing past, scrub at your ankles—so vivid is its sense of place and transportive quality. Powder-fine tannins settle gently through the mid-palate, while olive tapenade, nigella seed and a touch of twiggy oak lend structure and savoury detail, supporting the core of blackberry fruit. This is full flavoured, detailed with its own distinctive character but sits in a medium to full body for its freshness and brightness. You won’t forget this experience any time soon. Try this with Lamb chops and old school mint sauce and reinvent the marriage of the two. Old school dish and very new school modern wine." 97pts | Shanteh Wale | The Wine Pilot

Organic Farming