Description
MMAD Vineyard is a partnership of Martin Shaw, Michael Hill Smith MW, Adam Wadewitz, and David LeMire MW. MMAD takes its name from their first initials. 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 project – 100% single vineyard wines from the MMAD Vineyard, perfectly located in the dress circle of Blewitt Springs. The vineyard has some of the oldest plantings in Blewitt Springs, with grenache planted in 1939, shiraz in 1941, and chenin blanc in 1964. Blewitt Springs combines sandy soil, which enhances aromatics, and cool sea breezes that maintain freshness. MMAD Vineyard also has a layer of ironstone pebbles beneath the sand, which contributes to the wines’ structure and complexity.
About this wine: MMAD Vineyard has Grenache planted in 1939, Shiraz planted in 1941 and Chenin Blanc from 1964. 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.
The 2024 vintage – A third consecutive wet winter and early spring left MMAD Vineyard with an ideal ful soil moisture profile. December rain (85mm) carried this through the season. A mild back half of the season was folowed by short bursts of heat in late February and mid March which brought the reds home.
100% Shiraz. Hand-picked and sent to French oak fermenters, with a smal portion to stainless steel. Ferments include around 70% whole bunches. Al basket pressed to old puncheons for 10–11 months, then racked and bottled unfiltered in February 2025
The combination of a wet winter and mild ripening season can be considered perfect for dry grown vines in Blewitt Springs. The result is a Shiraz that is perfumed and delicate with layers on layers of blue fruits. While fruit is at the fore, an unexpected lightness on the palate is delicately framed by ripe, resolved tannins, subtle spice and a graphite edge. As pretty as ever.
97+ points, Marcus Ellis, Halliday Wine Companion “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.”
97 points, Shanteh Wale, Wine Pilot “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. 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.”
97 points, Jeni Port, Wine Pilot “Blewitt Springs is an island, part of McLaren Vale and yet separate, thanks to its Maslin sands and iron rich soils. Year after year, decade after decade, it gets its moment to shine with Shiraz. Here, florals swirl amid dark spices, black tea scents and dark cherry, plum. It’s a complex introduction. Black peppery notes lead the way into a rich, highly spiced palate laced in florals and delivered on a bed of ripe dark berries with background leather notes and hints of nutty vanillin. Quite a stunning array of fruit concentration and intensity with real energy in those savoury firm and integrated tannins.”
RRP $80 Our Special INTRO Price $64.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine – LIMITED TIME
