96 points - "Grown on Maslin sand, with the oldest grenache vines planted in '39. Floral and sultry, with intense red fruits, dark raspberry, macerated strawberry and pomegranate juice, cracked whole spices, coal dust. There are black cherry notes, too, with a certain darkness to the vivid and lively fruit profile, the old vines having their say, perhaps. That quality is repeated on the palate, with the silkiness those vines yield a feature of all the releases thus far, the tannins resolute and resolved, carrying the flavours long. There’s a clear thread emerging with the MMAD wines that tell a distinctive story of place, and it’s one that’s exciting to watch unfold." - Marcus Ellis (Halliday Wine Companion)

96 points - "There’s energy and then there’s the kind of exuberance that comes from the well-drained, ancient, sandy soils of Blewitt Springs that can take the energy levels in a wine up a notch or three. The MMAD crew direct that energy into one exciting Grenache. Eye-catching, bright purpley-grape hues. Super bright aromas, all black pepper and gentle florals, plum and cherry with a touch of maraschino cherry and musk. A cooler vintage has brought the black pepper out to play. It’s a striking aspect to the wine, nestling in naturally amongst the black, red fruits, earth, mineral and spices, providing that extra energetic rush via some lively acidity. This is a leading example of the type of quality and class of McLaren Vale Grenache now being celebrated, with elegance and texture threaded in fine tannins. The result is a wine that is both immediately engaging while also showing a developing complexity with the kind of seriousness that is compelling and attention worthy." - Jeni Port (Wine Pilot)

95 points - "Perfumed and spicy with black-fruit aromas of wild red and dark berries, cherries, currants and blood oranges as well as sea spray and rose petals. The palate has fine-grained tannins and a bright acidity that leads into a midweight mouthfeel. Great structure and balance. From vines planted in 1989. Drink or hold." - James Suckling

92 points - "The 2023 Grenache hails from a single vineyard in Blewitt Springs in McLaren Vale, first planted in 1939. The wine is perfumed and light, with plenty of spice and chalky texture. The 2023 season was cool and wet, and the Grenache wines appear lighter in frame and density than 2022, and certainly 2021. They are three vastly different vintages. This is floral and piquant, layered with sour cherries and leaf. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap." - Erin Larkin (The Wine Advocate)

91 points - "MMAD, MMAD, MMAD, MMAD to the bone. Not the easiest vintage in McLaren Vale, was 2023, though the wines have a certain spicy and peppery character that makes them interesting, albeit somewhat atypical. Raspberry, red cherry, a fair bit of white pepper and cinnamon (oak?) spice, a bit mulchy too, with something of poached strawberry top note. It’s juicy, again that strawberry in syrup flavour, a dusty and peppery grip to tannin, and it feels a bit warmer than its stated alcohol, with a somewhat washy and diffuse finish of solid length. Dusty and sweet to close. I’m not exactly MMAD about it, but it’s a decent wine all up." - Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

90 points - "Very deep, concentrated purple colour, surprising in varietal grenache. There are talcum powder/sandalwood, and reserved spice aromas, the palate opening with a big burst of sweet fruit, backed by masses of firm tannins and in the centre a deep well of very ripe blackberry flavour. Graphite and ironstone tannin finish which is grippy and puckering. A solid lump of a wine that is a bit young to broach at present but will surely reward cellaring for many years." - Huon Hooke (The Real Review)

The Wine
A reflection of the historic Blewitt Springs terroir, this wine captures the essence of old vines, cool-season elegance, and thoughtful winemaking. In our third year of tending these precious vines, we experienced our latest and coolest vintage yet. The extended season allowed for a wide picking window, enabling us to harvest at optimal ripeness.

The result is a wine of impressive concentration and depth, balanced by bright, cool-season aromatics. Intense red fruit and baking spice notes carry through to a silky mid-palate, where fine, elongated tannins bring cohesion and finesse. The grapes were mostly destemmed, fermented in a mix of wood and concrete, then aged in large, seasoned French oak.

Serving Temperature: 16–18°C

Cellaring Potential: Has the structure and concentration to evolve gracefully over the next 15 years

Alcohol (ABV): 14.0%

The Story
The MMAD Vineyard was founded in early 2021 by a partnership of four industry leaders: winemakers Martin Shaw and Adam Wadewitz, and Masters of Wine Michael Hill-Smith and David LeMire. The name MMAD is derived from their initials.

Their mission is to honour and preserve the remarkable old vines of Blewitt Springs—an irreplaceable part of Australia’s viticultural heritage. The MMAD wines are crafted to express the distinct character and unique terroir of this extraordinary site.

The Vineyard
Situated in the heart of Blewitt Springs, MMAD Vineyard is home to:

Grenache vines planted in 1939

Shiraz vines planted in 1941

Chenin Blanc vines planted in 1964

The vineyard sits on fine Maslin sands, underlaid with ironstone pebbles. Exposed to cooling sea breezes from the south-west, this environment contributes both perfume and structure to the wines.

These ancient vines and unique soils give MMAD wines their signature elegance, aromatic lift, and refined texture.