Four generations of a small family have lived on the property that is now the Majella vineyards. Currently owned by 2 brothers the vineyard was a sheep station which has now been converted into a vineyard of the highest quality which is very much the envy of other winemakers in the region. To quote one competitor, "they have really been blessed by the wine gods up there. Their soil is fantastic."
The wine maker, Bruce Gregory, is a Coonawarra Lad who sports the look of man who could have been working on the sheep station. Nonetheless, he showed us around the vineyard which is very much focused on sustainable practices including water recycling, low (preferably zero) irrigation policy and a hands on attitude to the craft of wine making.
As we sat down in the lab where he had already been blending, he demonstrated the difference in one plot of vines where the first few rows have a different terrior to the rest of the plot. One was juicy and full the other was more earthy and "masculine". And Bruce's challenge is to produce the right blend for Majella. He even encouraged us to suggest the proportions .... OK Majella won't be riding on our estimations but they were not bad.
Anyway.... the tasting
Riesling 2009 – floral – orange blossom minerality, wet stone – clean fresh vibrant and no petroleum wax – a good uncomplicated drop.
Melody Rose 2010 – Shiraz base – bleed off free run (saignee method) delivers strawberry and mineral notes but is still quite sweet. As a result, I probably would not give up my Provence Rose but I can see how this would work well with Asian food spice.
Majella Sparkling Shiraz – 6 months in barrel in Borossa and then 2 years on lees. The result is an earthy blackcurrant jam with some leather. Very bold for a sparkling shiraz but very enjoyable nonetheless. For the dosage they use an Australian Vintage port (Touriga) – 25/26 grams of sugar black currant – bottle fermentation ..... great great summer BBQ sparkle
The Musician 2009 – only spends 12 months on oak, cabernet sauvignon and shiraz being the predominant grapes. It is easy drinking with red and blackberry fruit flavours with a background of mint and eucalyptus. Quite spicy with some firm tannins. Great value and something we will be stocking.
Merlot 2008 – Merlot is a difficult variety to grow in the Coonawarra but Majella have managed a small parcel from which they produce a straight merlot aged in French oak. The ripe red fruit flavours come at you with some cedar and chewy tannins. Quite jammy and a very good exhibit of the merlot variety.
Shiraz 2008– Unsurprisingly fruity and jammy with a little spice. The brambles and hedgerows are here with some cinnamon and pepper. In a way, these great flavours lost out to the alcohol which was quite warming and therefore either firmly committing this to the cellar for 10 years or a very cold winter's evening.... therefore half of the UK could be enjoying this now.
Cabernet Savignon 2008 - a big ripe juicy cabernet that has evolved with French oak (50% new oak). Whilst it is jammy it does carry some well structured light tannins. Very good and worth hunting down.
and finally.............
The Malleea 2008 – which is aboriginal for green pastures. The 55% cabernet 45% shiraz yield some gorgeous Blackcurrent and blackberry, cedar eucalyptus and white pepper. Eternal flavours that just keep eveloving. An exceptional wine that I believe is seriously underrated. Once again I will be looking to stock this.
Truly Magic
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