Massena Moonlight Run GSM 2023
The Wine
Shiraz 42%, Mataro 30%, Grenache 28%, from Greenock, Lyndoch, Koonunga Hill and Tanunda. The 2022 vintage gave some light and fragrant wines, allowing our first Shiraz dominant Barossa blend. Shiraz from the clay and limestone of Greenock, coupled with some red berried Shiraz from Tanunda provides a svelte and linear component to this Rhone styled blend. Mataro from dry grown vines on the red clay soils of Koonunga Hill, fermented with 30% whole cluster inclusion, adds the tannin backbone. Old vine Grenache from the Western ridge behind Lyndoch, where the clay soils are dense, is fermented with 50% whole bunches included. This complex Grenache fruit adds red berry and smoked meat flavours as the of this blend. Daily pump overs early in ferment, followed by punching down as the ferment finishes, ensure gentle and controlled extraction. Aged in seasoned French Oak Puncheons, each parcel is selected and blended just before bottling in December 2024.
Red/purple in colour, with amaro and savoury whole bunch complexities on the nose with panforte, orange rind and smoked meat aromatics. Coffee liqueur, roasted cumin and coriander with red berry flavours abound on a bright and linear palate. Complex and interesting, this wine finishes dry and spicy making it an ideal gastronomic wine.
The Details
Variety - Grenache, Shiraz, Mouvedere
Country - Australia
Region - South Australia
Sub Region - Barossa Valley
Extra - Screwcap
Year - 2023
Volume - 750ml
About the Wine Maker 
The passion for Barossa's historic vines inspired Dan Standish and Jaysen Collins to establish Massena wines in 2000. At that time, Dan was the head winemaker at Torbreck, while Jaysen served as the GM of Turkey Flat. Both hailing from Barossa, their joint venture stemmed from a shared aspiration to craft wines with distinct character, balance, and an embodiment of the joy found in winemaking.
Finding vineyards that resonated with their philosophy was an extensive endeavor, culminating in the inclusion of Stonegarden's caretaker, Glen Monaghan, into the Massena fold. Massena wines are exclusively made from fruit provided by committed growers in the rich red soils on the Barossa's North Western fringe. The traditional Barossa varietals of Shiraz, Grenache, and Mataro thrive in the subregions of Greenock, Stonewell, and Moppa, nurtured by ancient vineyards with dry-farmed, low-yielding vines that are up to 150 years old. The inclusion of the Stonegarden vineyard, established in 1858, offers a collection of remarkable sites that authentically represent provenance and terroir expression.
Given the exceptional quality of the fruit, minimal intervention is required in the winemaking process. There are no additives, fining, or filtration, and only a small amount of sulphur is utilized. The wines are crafted in a traditional manner, with whole bunch fermentation contributing to the savory complexity of both the whites and reds. Massena wines exemplify the contemporary, modern style of Barossa wines and are certainly worth discovering.
