Tasting Notes
A new project from the team behind Shaw + Smith focussed around a very special vineyard in the McLaren Vale that they had been eyeing off for a while. This Chenin is probably the best Australian Chenin I have tried, melding the best of old world loire fruit ripeness with new world acid and freshness. It would look really good in a few years too. - Pete L
The 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. They 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.
The Vineyard is located in the dress circle of Blewitt Springs and first planted in 1939. 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. The fine sandy soils of Blewitt Springs have long been known to give the wines an enticing aromatic character. In some sites, there is also ironstone, which gives the wine structure to match the perfume. The altitude of 150 – 220 metres means the sea breezes from Gulf St Vincent cool the vines, and keep the acids fresh. Combined these give complexity. - Producer Notes
| Product Type | Wine White Chenin Blanc |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Country | Australia |
| Region | South Australia |
| Sub Region | McLaren Vale |
| Winemaking Practices | Conventional |
| Vineyard Practices | Conventional |