2023 Massena The Moonlight Run SMG, Barossa Valley

Massena was established in 2000 by Barossa locals Jaysen Collins and Dan Standish. Their aim was for Massena wines to have character, balance and a sense of the enjoyment they have in the whole winemaking process. The never ending search for great vineyards has culminated in welcoming Stonegarden custodian Glen Monaghan into the collective.

Moonlight Run is a Southern Rhône-inspired blend, with fruit from multiple sub-regions: Shiraz from the clay and red iron soils of Greenock and Tanunda, Mataro from the rose quartz soils in Light Pass and Greenock and old bush vine Grenache from the foothills on sandy soils over calcrete and limestone and. All dry-grown and producing naturally concentrated fruit.

The 2023 was fermented in individual parcels using indigenous yeasts with partial whole bunch inclusion. Daily pump-overs early in ferment, followed by punching down as fermentation concluded. Aged in a combination of seasoned French oak puncheons and stainless steel, then blended and bottled in December 2024 without fining or filtration.

Red and purple in the glass, the nose is detailed and garrigue-like, with amaro, panforte, orange rind and smoked meat with roasted cumin and spice. The palate is bright and linear with red berry fruit, coffee liqueur and coriander complexity, finishing dry, spicy and long.

These kind of Barossa red blends are among the most food friendly wines in Australia. From Australian to Korean style BBQs and Mediterranean spreads, this wine is better with food on the plate.