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The
New Barossa
Part 12:
Massena
Back in 1999 Dan
Standish and Jaysen Collins (above) were working the vintage at
Taylor's in the Clare Valley, stuck on the midnight shift. So when they started their own venture
together in 2000, they named one of their wines 'The Moonlight Run'
after the nightly journey they made to the Clare. There's also a story behind
another of their wines, the 11th
Hour Shiraz, which is from a patch of old vines in Greenock that were
about to be rooted up until they swooped for the grapes - yes, you
guessed it - at the 11th hour. I don't know the story behind the
howling dog Durif, but then this dark, extreme wine is only made in
tiny amounts.
Currently, Massena isn't a big
outfit - running at around 1000 cases - but it is beginning
to make waves. 1000 cases are made, mainly from old vineyards in the
western ridge/Greenock areas. The wines are quite striking and modern,
but not overly so.
In common with
almost all of these new Barossa outfits, there is no physical winery.
Jaysen and Dan have barrels in a couple of locations, one of which is
in a barn that belongs to a grower (where I tasted), the other of
which isn't accessible at the weekend (this heavily fortified location
is where Torbreck store most of their wines). My notes here are
confined to just a few barrel samples, therefore, although I've tried
finished Massena wines on several occasions (some notes are
below).
Massena
Moonlight Run 2003 (cask sample of component)
Smooth, open, sweet nose. The palate smooth, rich and concentrated: a
seamless wine. Impressive
Shiraz 2003
(younger vines)
Part of the 11th Hour. Dark, spicy, intense nose. The palate shows
great intensity: very spicy with some firm tannins. Vivid, intense and
fruity this is a bold style with lots of presence. 92-94/100
Shiraz 2004
(younger vines)
Very full aromatic nose. Quite ripe and sweet - sweeter than the 03.
Massive, sweet primary fruit on palate. A vibrant wine.
Other
notes on Massena wines:
One of Massena's (unpruned) old
Grenache vines at Greenock |
Massena Howling Dog Durif 2002 Barossa, Australia
Serious and dark, with an intense, rich black fruits nose which is
dark and spicy. The palate is explosively ripe and rich with spicy
dark fruits. Tarry and bold with blackcurrant and blackberry. Massive,
bold and porty. Very good/excellent 92/100
(09/04)
Massena 11th Hour Shiraz 2002
Inky black. There’s a slight hint of ginger on the spicy nose,
which exhibits lots of intense fruit character. Good concentration on
the palate with lovely rich, spicy-edged fruit. Very bold and ripe
with smooth tannins. Too much alcohol, though? Very good/excellent
90/100
(01/04)
Massena The Moonlight Run 2001 Barossa
Taut, spicy, slightly herby nose with some savoury woody notes.
The palate is richly fruited and has a lovely savoury spicy character.
Nicely structured, this is a bold wine. Very good/excellent 92/100
(01/04)
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Massena
11th Hour Shiraz 2001 Barossa
Ripe
yet savoury spicy berry fruit nose, with some tarry, smoky notes and
plenty of complexity. Good concentration on the palate with a
distinctive tarry, spicy edge. Very intense with firm but smooth
tannins and prominent but well integrated oak. Bold, with so much
intensity it is difficult to pull the components apart – typically
Barossan in style. Very good/excellent 92
/100 (08/03)
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