Massena 11th Hour Shiraz 2012 [JH 96]

James Halliday 96 points. "THE ELEVENTH HOUR: Very pure. The Australian Chave?" JS. The Massena label was created as a self funded apprenticeship project between self-styled winemakers Jaysen Collins and Dan Standish. It is unique in concept and execution as the philosophy is to add NOTHING in the winemaking process. Absolutely nothing. The sixty year old Shiraz vines from Greenock that produced the original wine were ready to be uprooted due to the lack of yields and the reluctance of other companies to pay a premium for this excellent fruit. After repeated requests for access to these grapes, at 'the eleventh hour' our growers decided to stop the bulldozer and retain a small area of these vines.

A paucity of information accompanying the Massena wines but here fruit sourced from vineyards in Greenock, Stone Well and Vine Vale, some whole bunches, some extended skin contact and basket-pressed to used French barriques and puncheons for 18 months. Unfined and unfiltered. It's come together brilliantly. It has richness and a depth of flavour matched to a brightness and vivacity across its fuller-bodied palate. Supple, savoury tannins and just lovely fruit shining through. JH.