2011 Mardi LD
For long time Meadowbank fans and family members, the name 'Mardi' is synonymous with fabulous sparkling wine. It's an origin story that is ingrained in to the Ellis family history of wine production in Tasmania, at a time when our founders, Gerald and Sue Ellis, decided to name different varieties of wine after each of their three children. There's no doubt that many of you have fond memories of enjoying a bottle of 'Mardi' with friends to mark your own celebratory occasions.
It was this family history that was at the forefront of our minds when we re-launched the Meadowbank wine label in 2016. We were fortunate to have a highly limited supply of sparkling wine still on tirage from our 2011 vintage and we instantly knew that this product was destined to be the new-look 'Mardi'.
It is with great pleasure that we can now introduce to you our 2011 'Mardi' Late Disgorged. A delightful blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that has spent 10 years on tirage, prior to being disgorged late last year. As with all our traditional method sparklings, we use a minimal intervention dosage liqueur (a very neutural addition, we're talking Extra Brut) to ensure that the wine showcases an authentic 'sense of place' experience, with trademark Meadowbank flavours and seasonal characteristics detectable between vintage releases.
Our 'Mardi' sparkling epitomises luxury and decadence in a glass. It has been a labour of love and a test of our patience. For not unlike Mardi Ellis, this sparkling arrives when it is ready, bringing an effervescence to the party that cannot be ignored. Embrace the wait. Indulge in the arrival.
REVIEWS:
94 POINTS - "60/40% pinot noir/chardonnay; whole-bunch pressed; fermented in stainless steel tanks; aged 10 years on lees; disgorged Sept '21; 3g/L dosage. All the joy of a full decade on lees is generously thrust forth in a silky palate of butter, vanilla cream, toffee, tarte tatin, preserved lemon and a nuance of charcuterie. The endurance of this cool season in the deep south charges a taut acid line still confidently present, even within the creamy allure of long age. A sparkling of grand presence, personality, persistence and drive." - Tyson Stelzer, Halliday Wine Companion.
94 POINTS - "Lots of bakers yeast, chamomile and mint, spicy biscuit, lemon curd and tangerine. It’s soft, complex, no shortage of yeast and cinnamon pastry/brioche complexity, but with fine acidity, a gentle bubble and feeling of decay, and a nutty/savoury finish of fine length. A little chalkiness and saline flavour as it goes. Kind of silky feeling too. Very good. Could possibly be underrating it a little?." - Gary Walsh, The Wine Front.
*Note: for those wondering, all our wines are vegan friendly.