2022 Massena The Eleventh Hour Shiraz

Amply powered with rich, lush fruit framed by sturdily constructed yet velvet like tannins.

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 form the base of 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 15 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.
Dense pitch black heart with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Engulfing the nostrils are ripe black cherry, liquorice and dark plum aromas trailed by some spicy vanillin cedar, scorched earth and peppered fennel notes. Rich, lush dark plum, liquorice and black cherry fruits saturate the palate with notions of vanillin oak, fennel, subtle scorched earth and pepper in the background. Sturdily constructed yet velvet like tannins. Ample depth and power with a long sumptuous conclusion.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5%