2017 the moonlight run
Grape Variety: Mataro 73%, Grenache 14%, Shiraz 13%
The Moonlight Run was our midnight drive back to the Barossa after working vintage in the Clare Valley in 1999. We would crave a soft slurpy wine to wash down a hard night’s work, so we decided to make our own. We take inspiration from Southern Rhone wines and this is our take on them.
Sub Regions: Southern Moppa, Light Pass, Greenock, Angaston Foothills, Tanunda
Winemaking: Mataro from dry grown vines on the rose quartz soils of our Dadd’s Block is fermented with 30% whole cluster inclusion and blended with other parcels of Mataro from Light Pass and Greenock. We then add some old bush vine Grenache from the Barossa foothills where the sandy soils are shallow on calcrete and limestone. This complex Grenache fruit adds spiciness and intensity. Add to that some Greenock and Tanunda Shiraz and we have a wine that has a mouthful of everything superb about a Southern Rhone styled blend. Daily pump overs early in ferment, followed by punching down as the ferment finished, ensure gentle and controlled extraction. Aged in tank and barrel, each parcel is selected to add as much interest as possible.
The Wine: Mataro gives roasted cumin, cinnamon, peppercorn and savoury profile that appears in abundance due to the cooler 2017 vintage. This lifted spice plays off with juicy black cherry Grenache aromatics and raspberry sweetness from the Tanunda Shiraz, A true reflection of the 2017 vintage where the volume on weight is turned down slightly, but allows the complexities of these aromatic varieties to abound. A firm tannin line suggests potential for time in the cellar.
Cellaring: Up to ten years
“2017 The Moonlight Run - 95 Points Gold
Stacked full of luscious red and purple fruits, yet not heavy. A particularly good mataro. ”
“2017 The Moonlight Run - 92 Points
Mataro, grenache and shiraz. Natural ferment, old oak, no fining or filtration is the motif of winemaking, and the fruit comes from a collection of vineyards. I like the lighter-ish expressions of Massena, and the use of whole bunch (evident here, as seasoning). Here’s a great, early drinking Barossa wine.
Slippery but finishes with a light, dusty chomp of tannin. Perfumed, but not overtly sweet, with dark forest berry fruitiness tempered with green-brambly spice notes. The glossy texture upfront gives the wine some lovely glide, the darker fruit sweetness ebbs on peppery, earthy spice. It touches many pleasure buttons and tosses in ease of drinking. No brainer if you’re spending up to the price and looking for hearty but vibrant Barossa goodness.
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“2017 The Moonlight Run - 91 Points
One-third each Grenache, Mataro and Shiraz, the 2016 The Moonlight Run Mataro-Grenache-Shiraz finds a delicious balance between ripe fruit, savory nuance and mouthwatering freshness. Cherry and raspberry fruit leads the way in this medium to full-bodied red, framed by silky tannins and dressed up with delicate notes of rosemary, thyme and rose petals. It should drink well for 4-5 years. ”
“2016 the moonlight run - 94 points
Wonderfully perfumed, the bouquet shows dark plum, blueberry compote, violet, warm spice and game characters. The palate is plump and fleshy, and offers terrific fruit richness and silky texture, brilliantly framed by supple tannins. Generous, expansive and highly enjoyable”
“2016 the moonlight run - 95 points
Constructed from estate mataro (34%) fermented with partial stalk inclusion, 33% early harvested 150yo bush vine grenache and Tanunda shiraz. The secret ingredient that invests the wine with savoury spices and freshness is the alcohol, usually 14.5% and above in the Barossa Valley. the length and finish have zest and braille, important in establishing the texture of the wine.”
“2016 the moonlight run - 94 points
Blend of Barossa Valley mataro, grenache, and shiraz, pretty much in equal parts. The mataro included some stalks in the ferment. The grenache is off extremely old vines, well over 100 years (more like 150).
It’s a wild ride of flavour. It’s mid-weight, complex, charming and silken, with game, an array of dried spices, flings of roasted nuts and of course red/black berry flavours. So much to experience. Floral notes add yet more to the show. A beautiful red wine.”
“97 points - 2015 the moonlight run
Mataro (from Moppa) and whole bunch Cinsaut co-fermented, old vine Grenache (Vine Vale) and Shiraz all wild yeast fermented, bottled without fining or filtration. Its crimson colour is excellent, the bouquet full of spicy purple and black fruits, its mouthfeel is simply outstanding. A tour de force of winemaking.”
“2015 the moonlight run - 93 points - Blend of Barossa Valley mataro, grenache, shiraz and cinsault.
Aromatic. Fleshy. Plenty of fruit and yet dry and spicy to close. Excellent style of wine. The kind of wine we all should drink more of. There’s no lack of sweetness and/or ripeness and yet the savoury crowd is played to. Hits the nail pretty much bang on.”
“2014 the moonlight run - 96 Points - A 58/22/20% blend of mataro, grenache and shiraz. It is intense and powerful, yet supple, its fragrant bouquet is replicated by the rippling cascade of spices, cherry, raspberry and delicately balanced tannins that help extend the long palate. An object lesson in containing the alcohol.”
“2014 the moonlight run - 92 points - 58% mataro, 22% grenache, 20% shiraz. Barossa Valley. Beautiful set of numbers. Delicious wine to drink. Earthen and spicy but loaded with dark, substantial fruit. Sweet and dry. Complex flavours but a simple/straightforward appeal. It feels as though it’s been forged in a hot, dry, sandy landscape, the berries soaked in sun. No complaints whatsoever.”
