2010 Massena Eleventh Hour Shiraz

Hedonistic Shiraz.
The Massena venture was started by two High School mates, Dan Standish (formerly winemaker at Torbreck) and Jaysen Collins (previously manager at Turkey Flat). The duo are noted for trialling unusual varieties such as Petite Sirah, Barbera, Dolcetto, Roussanne, Saperavi and Tannat. The sixty year old Shiraz vines from Greenock that produced this wine were ready to be uprooted due to the lack of yields and the reluctance of other companies to pay extra for the A grade fruit. After repeated requests for access to these grapes, at 'the eleventh hour' the owners agreed to stop the bulldozer and retain a small area of vines. No American oak is used at Massena. After 16 months in French oak the wine was moved to tank in individual components for several months before blending and bottling without fining or filtration. Totally opaque super saturated inky black colour with deep black dark purple red hue. The nose displays lifted ripe dark plum aromas followed by some blackberry, liquorice and spice. Ultra rich and lavish, the palate possesses voluptuously textured flavours of dark ripe plum and blackberry followed by some liquorice, dark chocolate, confectionary and spice. Silky smooth perfectly integrated tannins. Excellent depth with long luscious dark plum, ripe blackberry, liquorice and spice aftertaste.
Cellar 4-5 years (2016-2017).
Alc 14.5%