Origin: Australia
Terroir: McLaren Vale

The Name
We simply refer to this wine via its origin. The Adelaide Hills wine region borders McLaren Vale and is in its own right a world-class region, being the home to many of Australia’s best white wines, including Chardonnay. These hills provide elevated and cooler sites for viticulture, producing wines with good natural acid, structure and elegance.

Colour and Aroma
Pale straw in colour with aromas of peaches, honeysuckle, violets, jasmine and a hint of vanilla.

Palate
This wine exhibits cool climate flavours of pear, grapefruit and citrus fruits. Lees stirring has added texture and mouth feel, creating a wine with balance and complexity. The wine shows great fruit length and refined oak. This is a fine and superbly balanced Chardonnay that captures the essence of its cool-climate origin.

Cellaring Potential
While this wine is made to enjoy upon release, further maturation up to 3 years will enable it to develop even more complexity, assuming satisfactory cellaring conditions.

Technical Notes
Varietal composition: Chardonnay 100%
Winemaker: Mark Maxwell & Kate Petering
Oak maturation: Seasoned French oak hogsheads for 10 months. Winemaking: The juice is chilled, settled and seeded with yeast in stainless steel tanks. Once the ferment activity has lessened in vigour after several days, the wine was transferred to barrels to finish fermentation. For the next 8 months, the wine lees are stirred once a week to improve textural mouth feel . This technique is called “batonnage”.

Alcohol: 12.5% alc./vol. pH: 3.33 TA: 6.1 g/L

Origin: Australia
Terrior: McLaren Vale

The Wine
The Maxwell Eocene Shiraz is a terroir focussed, single vineyard Shiraz from the most northern part of the estate on the corner of Olivers and Chalk Hill Roads in McLaren Vale. The vines are a special clone called 1654 and planted in 1994, are now given special treatment of leaf plucking and cultivation and cover crops to enhance the individual characters of the berries. The soil profile comprises alluvial grey-brown loam over limestone – specifically Blanche Point Formation with Tortachilla Limestone. The geology of this area was created 35 million years ago during the Eocene Epoch, hence the name given to this wine.

Vintage Conditions
The winter in 2014 was wetter than usual which resulted in well soaked soils. From August to early January it stayed dry with above average temperatures. Flowering started earlier than average and the grape set was even, but our vines had low bunch numbers. Veraison started normally but accelerated with a mini heatwave early January. Throughout January, 40mm of rain fell, double the average, but very helpful to freshen up the vines. Ripening continued with warm dry days and cool nights and we started harvest with the Verdelho on the 9th February, the earliest on record.

Colour and Aroma
Deep purple in colour with aromas of bright and vibrant berry fruit and vanilla oak.

Palate
The palate is well balanced with generous fruit weight, fresh fruit flavours of blackberry, raspberry and plum with integrated soft oak tannins.

Cellaring Potential
Though the balance and integration of flavours upon its release are excellent, the Eocene Shiraz is made for medium to long term cellaring. Given satisfactory cellaring conditions, it is expected this wine will drink particularly well at 10 to 15 years of age.

Technical Notes
Varietal composition: Shiraz 100%
Winemaker: Andrew Jericho & Mark Maxwell
Oak maturation: 24 months in French oak hogsheads.

Alcohol: 14.8% alc./vol. TA: 6.4g/L pH: 3.59

Origin: Australia
Terroir: McLaren Vale

The Name
“Four Roads” refers to the Maxwell Winery and Vineyards being situated in the heart of McLaren Vale wine country at the intersection of four roads, namely Olivers Road, Chalk Hill Road, Brewery Hill Road (now Field St), and the old Ellen Street.

The Vineyard
These old Grenache vines have grown for 90 years on a classic contoured hill with a south facing aspect. They were bush vines with their thick trunks and sprawling arms until a few years ago when they were lifted up and put on a trellis wire to keep them ripening evenly as they grow older. The soil profile is a light loam over some clay and then deep limestone. The vines are hand pruned and hand picked for the highest quality fruit.

Vintage Conditions
The winter of 2015 was cold and relatively dry, with July and August being quite low rainfalls. In November we had warm and still weather which made ideal conditions for the grapes to set. We then moved into a hot and very dry period leading into February and the vines started to show a bit of stress. Then we had a very beneficial rain event pouring 32mL into the soil, which freshened the vines without any disease issues. The crop levels were up on previous years across the region, but the flavours are concentrated and showing lots of ageing potential.

Colour and Aroma
Deep plum red. This wine has aromatics of raspberry and red fruits with a hint of herbs.

Palate
Old vine concentration. Luscious plum flavours, complex spice and savoury fruits are underpinned by gamey tones and hints of chocolate. Delicate vanilla oak, and fine tannins finish an approachable wine.

Cellaring Potential
This wine is made to enjoy upon release, however it is expected that it will continue to give excellent flavours at 3 to 7 years of age, assuming satisfactory cellaring conditions.

Technical notes
Varietal composition: Grenache (100%)
Winemaker: Andrew Jericho & Mark Maxwell
Oak maturation: 14 months in seasoned French oak
Alc: 15.4% TA: 5.8 g/L

Origin: Australia
Terroir: McLaren Vale

The Name
The wine takes its name from a 60 metre long man-made cave. Dug to grow mushrooms in 1916 into the solid limestone hill that is now home to the estate vineyards. The hut-like entrance to the Lime Cave is depicted in the Maxwell of McLaren Vale logo. Above this cave, on the crest of the hill, there are 19 rows of “Reynella Selection” Cabernet Sauvignon vines. Planted in 1972, these vines originate from those brought into South Australia by John Reynell over 150 years ago.

Vintage Conditions
The winter in 2014 was wetter than usual which resulted in well soaked soils. From August to early January it stayed dry with above average temperatures. Flowering started earlier than average and the grape set was even, but our vines had low bunch numbers. Veraison started normally but accelerated with a mini heatwave early January. Throughout January, 40mm of rain fell, double the average, but very helpful to freshen up the vines. Ripening continued with warm dry days and cool nights and we started harvest with the Verdelho on the 9th February, the earliest on record.

Colour and Aroma
Dark purple in colour with aromas of classic Cabernet featuring cassis and blackcurrant.

Palate
A generous palate with red currant, cranberry and cherry with integrate cedar oak. Flavours are persistent on the finish with soft tannins.

Cellaring Potential
Given satisfactory cellaring conditions, it is expected this wine will drink particularly well at around 6 to 8 years of age.

Technical Notes
Varietal composition: Cabernet Sauvignon 100%
Winemaker: Andrew Jericho & Mark Maxwell
Oak maturation: 20 months in French oak hogsheads (30% new).

Alcohol: 14.8% alc./vol. pH: 3.69 TA: 5.3g/L

Origin: Australia
Terroir: McLaren Vale

The Name
In 1871 Scottish scientist James Clerk Maxwell proposed a thought experiment, that involved a hypothetical creature acting as a gatekeeper between two compartments to sort gas molecules according to their speed. At first glance, such a system could potentially create energy from nothing… theoretically impossible given the laws of physics. This hypothetical gatekeeper became known to physicists as Maxwell’s Little Demon, and has stirred debate in the science community for more than a century.

Vintage Conditions
The winter of 2015 was cold and relatively dry, with July and August being quite low rainfalls. In November we had warm and still weather which made ideal conditions for the grapes to set. We then moved into a hot and very dry period leading into February and the vines started to show a bit of stress. Then we had a very beneficial rain event pouring 32mL into the soil, which freshened the vines without any disease issues. The crop levels were up on previous years across the region, but the flavours are concentrated and showing lots of ageing potential.

Colour and Aroma
Deep plum red. Fresh aromas of aniseed, raspberry, chocolate and dried herbs.

Palate
The palate is shows fresh fruit; plum, blackberry, and cherries. Well-balanced tannin with subtle vanilla oak create a soft and round finish. The Cabernet flavours really dominate in this wine but the softness of the Merlot rounds off the palate creating a well-balanced wine.

Cellaring Potential
This wine is made to enjoy upon release, however it is expected that it will continue give excellent flavour at 4 to 6 years of age, assuming satisfactory cellaring conditions.

Technical Notes
Varietal composition: Cabernet 81%, Merlot 19%
Winemaker: Andrew Jericho & Mark Maxwell
Oak maturation: 16 months in seasoned French oak hogsheads.

Alc: 14.5% alc./vol. TA: 6.2g/L pH:3.62

Origin: Australia
Terroir: McLaren Vale

The Name
In 1871, Scottish scientist James Clerk Maxwell proposed a thought experiment, that involved a hypothetical creature acting as a gatekeeper between two compartments to sort air molecules according to their speed. At first glance, such a system could potentially create energy from nothing... theoretically impossible given the laws of physics. This hypothetical gatekeeper became known to physicists as Maxwell’s Little Demon, and has stirred debate in the science community for more than a century.

Vintage Conditions
The winter of 2015 was cold and relatively dry, with July and August being quite low rainfalls. In November we had warm and still weather which made ideal conditions for the grapes to set. We then moved into a hot and very dry period leading into February and the vines started to show a bit of stress. Then we had a very beneficial rain event pouring 32mL into the soil, which freshened the vines without any disease issues. The crop levels were up on previous years across the region, but the flavours are concentrated and showing lots of ageing potential.

Colour and Aroma
A dark red colour. Fresh aroma of black cherry and plum fruits with hints of vanilla.

Palate
The palate has generous flavours of McLaren Vale Shiraz, rich plum and berry, complimented by the Grenache giving lifted aromas with flavours of spice, raspberry and herbs. This is a complex wine with excellent food matching ability.

Cellaring Potential
This wine is made to enjoy upon release, however it is expected that it will continue give excellent flavour at 3 to 6 years of age, assuming satisfactory cellaring conditions.

Technical Notes
Varietal composition: Shiraz 82%, Grenache 15%, Viognier 3%
Winemaker: Andrew Jericho & Mark Maxwell
Oak maturation: 24 months in seasoned French and American hogsheads.

Alc: 14.8% TA: 5.70 g/L pH: 3.61

Origin: Australia
Terroir: McLaren Vale

The Name
In 1871, Scottish scientist James Clerk Maxwell proposed a thought experiment, that involved a hypothetical creature acting as a gatekeeper between two compartments to sort air molecules according to their speed. At first glance, such a system could potentially create energy from nothing... theoretically impossible given the laws of physics. This hypothetical gatekeeper became known to physicists as Maxwell’s Little Demon, and has stirred debate in the science community for more than a century.

Vintage Conditions
The winter of 2016 was very wet, with Pedler Creek flooding into some of our lower lying vineyards, a once in a decade event which refreshes the soils, allowing salts to be flushed away. From August to early January conditions were quite dry, allowing healthy restrained growth across the estate and average crop levels have resulted in high quality grapes.

Colour & Aroma
The colour is deep red with bright crimson hues. Deep red berry aromas with stewed plum and herbal notes.

Palate
Abundant with rich plum, gamey tone and white pepper spice, suppoted by soft tannin and lively acidity.

Pairing
Confit duck press with pickled and baby beetroot.

Technical Notes
Varietal Composition: Grenache 51.3% Shiraz 40.3% Mouvèdre 8.4
Winemakers:Kate Petering & Mark Maxwell
Oak Maturation: 12 months in a blend of older, seasoned oak barrels.
Winemaker comments: This wine is made to enjoy upon release, however it is expected that it will continue to mature to 5 years of age.

Alcohol: 14.2% Alc./Vol. TA: 6.0 g/L. pH: 3.56

Origin: Australia
Terroir: McLaren Vale

Vintage Conditions
The winter of 2015 was cold and relatively dry, with July and August being quite low rainfalls. In November we had warm and still weather which made ideal conditions for the grapes to set. We then moved into a hot and very dry period leading into February and the vines started to show a bit of stress. Then we had a very beneficial rain event pouring 32mL into the soil, which freshened the vines without any disease issues. The crop levels were up on previous years across the region, but the flavours are concentrated and showing lots of ageing potential.

Colour and Aroma
Rich purple and red in colour. The bouquet is abundant with plum, blackberry and red cherries, coupled with hints of mocha and vanilla.

Palate
The Maxwell Silver Hammer Shiraz delivers all the hallmarks that make the combination of this variety and the McLaren Vale region so famous.

The palate has an abundance of generous flavours, a rich mouthfeel with plum, vanilla and complex savoury spices. The mouth filling flavours are well balanced, full bodied with a soft finish. The result is a generous and approachable wine with excellent depth of flavour, fine silky tannins and fruit length.

Cellaring Potential
This wine is made to enjoy upon release, however it is expected that it will continue to mature for another 5 - 7 years, assuming satisfactory cellaring conditions.

Technical notes
Varietal composition: Shiraz 100%
Winemaker: Andrew Jericho & Mark Maxwell
Oak maturation: 16 months in new and seasoned French and American hogsheads.

Alcohol: 14.5% alc./vol. TA: 6.2g/L pH:3.56