2014 Massena The Eleventh Hour 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 Primitivo, 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 13 months in seasoned French oak the wine was moved to tank in individual components for several months before blending and bottling without fining or filtration.

Spectacular colour saturation displaying a dense inky black core with a very deep black dark purple hue. Intense aromas of dark plum, ripe black cherries and liquorice are complemented by some fennel, smoky vanillin cedar and spice. Full bodied, rich and supplely textured this is nonetheless a slightly more toned down version in comparison to recent vintages. Mouthfilling flavours of ripe dark plums and liquorice are followed by some black cherries, fennel, smoky vanillin cedar and spice. Very polished, satin like tannins. Excellent length and power finishing with a long aftertaste of dark plum, liquorice, subtle fennel, smoky vanillin cedar and spice.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc 14%