MMAD Chenin Blanc 2023

The old vines of Blewitt Springs are a precious resource, and an important part of Australia’s viticultural history. 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 names from their first initials. The MMAD wines aim to reflect the unique terroir of Blewitt Springs and the rare old vines that thrive there, namely the Grenache planted in 1939, Shiraz planted in 1942 and Chenin Blanc planted in 1964.

Lovely mild ripening conditions provided a Chenin Blanc with bright acidity and plenty of flavour. The fruit was hand-picked, and approximately one third was whole bunch pressed to old French oak puncheons, and the balance crushed for more skin contact, and fermented in concrete vats before going to puncheons.

The wine combines a fine-ness from the whole bunch pressed component with more texture from the crushed fruit,and an array of characters including citrus peel, cumquat, hessian, sea spray and a hint of lanolin. The palate is long and framed by crisp acidity, with exciting ageing potential.

50% of the pickings were crushed and fermented to concrete and 50% was whole-bunch pressed and fermented in large-format seasoned oak. The Blewitt Springs vineyard was planted in 1939 and one does not often taste 80 year+ plus Chenin Blanc in Australia. As of 2022 the vineyard is solely in the management hands of the MMAD team. Flannel flowers, pomelo pith and pumice stone. White apple flesh, nectarine and lemon sorbet. It’s delicately floral with marine accents. Driftwood, salt spray and ozonic aromas. A white almond crunch with a briney salinity, the wine coils and stretches along the palate. The interplay of acidity, fine lacey phenolics and great length of flavour is becoming a trademark of style for this wine. Beautifully positioned for drinking with delicate raw seafood. Drink now and will cellar upwards of 8 years. Omakase come AT me. - Shanteh Wale, Halliday Wine Companion, 96 Points.

The Finer Details
Style - White Wine
Varietal - Chenin Blanc
Country - Australia
Region - Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale, South Australia
Vintage - 2023
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13%
Closure - Screw Cap
Cellaring Potential - Up to 15 years from vintage