2008 season and vintage
A good growing season with adequate rainfall at the right time ensured early flavour and tannin accumulation in the berries. A cool end to the ripening period allowed all varieties to be picked at optimum freshness, with good retention of natural acidity. All Maddens Rise fruit was picked before the mid-autumn heatwave that affected some vineyards in the Yarra Valley.
We see this as the best Yarra vintage since 2005 with all varieties performing well. The 2008's are typified by clear varietal character at medium palate weight with an underlying femininity, elegance and vibrancy. We focused on picking early to ensure that we did not end up with high alcohol wines. Three reserve wines (Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernet) are testament to this vintage.
Current releases
2008 Chardonnay
Sourced from three different Chardonnay blocks across a variety of clones and wild yeast fermented in a combination of French oak barriques and stainless steel tank. 30% of this blend was fermented on skins. Wild malolactic fermentation followed before blending and bottling without filtration.
Strong mineral flavours of talc, slate and chalk are supported by clean, vibrant citrus characters. Oak contribution is present only in the background, with subtle clove and cardamom notes.
Try this wine with beer battered flathead fillets.
2008 Viognier
Barrel fermented in old French oak with full lees. Wild malolactic fermentation followed before maturation in stainless steel tanks for six months and bottling without filtration.
Preserved lemon, quince and black pepper notes lift from a textured but dry palate, supported by prominent acid and fine Viognier skin tannin.
Try our Viognier with Caponata.
2008 Pinot Noir
Careful bunch sorting and 100% whole berry fermentation retained fresh red fruit characters, while 30% new French oak contributes brioche and spice. Bottled without filtration.
Our 12 year old MV6 Pinot Noir vineyard produces grapes that make wines of high natural acidity, moderate alcohol and bright, vibrant, sour cherry characters.
A Yarra Valley Pinot Noir that demands food. Best matched to braised rabbit.
2008 Shiraz
Wild yeast fermented with 60% whole bunches and held on skins for 60 days. The 2008 Shiraz was matured in French oak (10% new) which contributes sweet Indian spice and espresso coffee flavours. Bottled without filtration.
White pepper and red berry flavours are balanced by dried tobacco leaf and blackcurrant typical of Yarra Shiraz. Very fine skin tannin and earthy, savoury (mortadella) characters give length to this delicate but concentrated Yarra Valley Shiraz.
An early picked, feminine style of Shiraz best suited to game dishes or quality jamon.
2008 Cabernet (sold out)
Inspired by the 'super Tuscan' wines of central Italy, and the odd wine out in the Maddens Rise range, this Cabernet carries more muscle and palate weight. Bottled without filtration. Made to carry richer, heavy dishes, its long, drying tannins and ferric notes follow the upfront richness of syrupy blueberry. Match with slow cooked ox tail stew over polenta, or braised lamb shanks.
2009 Rose
Pale, salmon-pink in colour, our 2009 Rose is a blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Shiraz.
Gently whole bunch pressed before barrel fermentation in old French oak with regular lees stirring. This light, dry, savoury wine shows lifted jasmine, river stone and dried thyme characters. The palate carries subtle viscosity, balanced by gently drying skin tannins.
Try this wine lightly chilled alongside fresh anchovy fillets.
Pending releases
2008 Reserve Chardonnay
A highly aromatic and pure expression of Yarra Valley Chardonnay. Our oldest Chardonnay vineyard has been managed using biological practices since 2005. It's low vigour and natural balance ensures an even ripening period and high quality fruit.
Floral notes of jasmine, along with the added richness of barrel fermentation contributed chalk and river stone flavours to the palate. Bottled without filtration.
Steely yet supple, this wine is best served with salmon sashimi.
2008 Reserve Shiraz
Deceptively powerful, with a length of ripe, plum and cherry fruit that builds on the palate.
Sourced from the cooler, eastern slope of our shiraz block, and fermented with 100% whole bunches, this reserve shiraz carries great refinement and finesse along with a rustic tannin structure and savoury black fruit. Bottled without filtration.
A wine that requires extended decanter time and will be perfect with grilled duck breast, roast potatoes and speck.
2008 Reserve Cabernet
This is an 'old school' Yarra Valley Cabernet - early picked, wild yeast fermented with extended maceration (70 days on skins) and minimal oak input. Bottled without filtration. A wine style that the Yarra Valley was built on, with all the subtlety and grace of old world Cabernet.
Fresh violet notes, with faint blackberry and honeycomb lead to long, fine skin tannins that support this elegant Yarra Cabernet. Our flagship wine in 2008. Try it with roasted quail with sage.
2009 season and vintage
What started out looking like a near perfect growing season was impacted by a period of over 40 degree days and then the bushfires. Harvest was early and we managed to avoid the impact of smoke - with an unseasonal south-westerly wind pattern keeping the smoke away from the vines during the crucial vine development period.
We believe that the wines produced from this year are performing well. The Rose has been released and is already proving popular. Further information will be provided closer to the release of the other wines.