During the harvest the Massena winery takes on an almost magnetic draw for young winemakers and visiting English importers alike as there is always plenty of banter, cold Coopers and games of ‘barrel bung’ Cricket to be played as the sun sets behind gum trees laden with noisy Galahs. When sitting out on the step with Dan and Jaysen discussing the poor form of our respective national Cricket teams the world seems a pretty perfect place!
Dan Standish, ex Torbreck, and Jaysen Collins, ex Turkey Flat, set us Massena together in 2000 with the aim of producing premium Barossa wines from traditional varieties. Sourcing fruit from very old vineyards planted by early pioneers, Massena's wines are made using traditional winemaking techniques such as open fermentation and basket pressing.
We have also added one new wine to the range from the start 2010, The Looting Duke 2007, which is newly released and described as follows by the boys:
"When the pruning is over for the day we have been known to tuck into a glass of our latest red, the 2007 ‘the looting duke’ Shiraz. For those who don’t know, our winery is named for the French General Massena, who sparked the Battle of Barrosa, ultimately giving our region its name. Researching a bit more on the subject we discovered that after successful field work in Italy, he was given the title of Duke only to be expelled from the French army due to his penchant for smuggling and looting. The wine is reminiscent of a young black wine of Cahors or Madiran, boasting a dark, brooding and untamed personality. It is rustic yet sensual, and is an intensely concentrated field blend that promises a great ageing future ahead. The blend is 88% Shiraz and 12% Petite Sirah which is sourced entirely from Roger Mattschoss’ old block planted on Seppeltsfield Road in 1944. The wine also carries our slightly altered label, which is printed on 100% recycled paper, continuing our commitment to make all our packaging and winery operations as environmentally friendly as possible."
These are the wines, vintages and approximate retail prices from Massena we currently have available in the UK:
Red Wines
| Label | Name | Size | Approx retail price | Stockist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Epsilon 2008, Shiraz *92/100 - Halliday | Bottle | £13.00 | Find Stockists |
|
The Moonlight Run 2006 * 92/100 - Parker | Bottle | £19.00 | Find Stockists |
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The 11th Hour 2004, Shiraz * Only 3 cases left (6x75cl) * 91-93/100 - Parker * 94/100 - Halliday | Bottle | £21.00 | Find Stockists |
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The 11th Hour 2006, Shiraz * 94/100 - Parker | Bottle | £24.00 | Find Stockists |
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The Howling Dog 2004, Durif * Only 5 cases remaining (6x75cl) * 90/100 RP * 90 – 4 ½ glass rating – Highly recommended – Halliday | Bottle | £25.00 | Find Stockists |
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The Howling Dog 2006, Durif * 94/100 - Halliday "Bright colour; serious wine with the structure expected of this variety; rich plum/blackberry fruit and ripe tannins; good balance and length. Cork." * 93/100 - Parker | Bottle | £25.00 | Find Stockists |
|
The Looting Duke 2007, Shiraz *92/100 Josh Reynolds, The International Wine Cellar. Opaque purple. Smoky blackberry and blueberry aromas are complicated by notes of cola, licorice and mocha. A big, concentrated palate-stainer but with improbable energy and clarity to its deep black and blue fruit preserve flavors. Velvety tannins add structure and grip to the long, rich and clinging finish. *90+/100 RP | Bottle | 43.00 | Find Stockists |
Whats going on at the winery
- Click here to see pictures and other bits and pieces from the winery.
- Click here to see pictures and other bits and pieces from the winery.
- Click here to see pictures and other bits and pieces from the winery.
- Click here to see pictures and other bits and pieces from the winery.
- Click here to see pictures and other bits and pieces from the winery.
- Click here to see pictures and other bits and pieces from the winery.
- Click here to see pictures and other bits and pieces from the winery.
- Click here to see pictures and other bits and pieces from the winery.
- Click here to see pictures and other bits and pieces from the winery.
For a stockist in your area please call us on 01256 897 640
Top five stockists
- Wimbledon Wine Cellar, London SW6 - 020 7736 2191
- Caviste, Overton, Hants - 01256 770 397
- Sommelier Wine Co, St Peter Port, Guernsey - 01481 721 677
- Wines Unfurled, Ludlow, Shropshire - 01280 847 422
- The Butlers Wine Cellar, Brighton, Sussex - 01273 698 724
