Madfish
Brand Profile
The Madfish story begins in the far southern reaches of Western Australia where, nine miles from the quiet coastal town of Denmark, lies the picturesque Madfish Bay. According to the local folklore, the bay’s tranquillity is broken when two tides meet resulting in schools of small fish going mad… jumping and racing “flat out like a lizard drinkin” to avoid being gobbled up by hungry, larger fish.
The traditional Australian water turtle design on the label is a symbol of perserverance and tolerance – no doubt characteristics displayed by the poor fish in Madfish Bay who are contantly under attack by their predators.
The owners of Howard Park, Jeff and Amy Burch, became involved with wine through Jeff’s love of surfing. It started 15 years ago when they bought a beach shack at Yallingup, near the renowned surfing beaches of the Margaret River area. Jeff would spend hours surfing on his long board, resembling what the locals call a “shark biscuit”.
SIMPLE FACT
West Australians are nicknamed ‘sandgropers’, referencing the vast coastline and outback landscape. The state is one of the most isolated regions in the world, renowned for its wealth of natural resources, independence and entrepreneurial success.
WINE PORTFOLIO
2003 Madfish Chardonnay, Western Australia
Freshly cut pears, green apples, honeydew melons, unadulterated pure Chardonnay, lively, dry finish, lingering.
2002 Madfish Shiraz, Western Australia
Rich purple hues, dark heart. Spices and fruits, pepper and plums, herbs and violets. Cool climate Shiraz, French oak, light yet intense, concetrated yet delicate.
2001 Madfish Cabernet/Merlot/Cab Franc, Western Australia
Richly colored, perfume scented. Black currants, cherries, chocolate, fleshy and full, cedary oak, rich and persistent, textured and layered.
2001 Madfish Cabernet Shiraz, Western Australia
The nose displays cassis, ripe plummy fruits and white pepper. The palate has a firm structure with rich, fleshy fruit and dusty tannins and a long lengthy finish.
Wine Profile
Madfish Chardonnay
The wild setting of Madfish Bay in the far southern reaches of Western Australia is tranquil and untouched, characteristics mirrored in the pure, fresh, fruit driven Madfish wines. Often seen gracing the tables of cafes and at backyard barbecues from Broome to Rottnest Island on the coast of Western Australia, Madfish wines offer a contemporary, cool climate style with an emphasis on enjoyment and drinkability.
Region
Great Southern, Pemberton, Margaret River
Winemaking
The fruit for this blend was sourced from vineyards in the cooler climate regions of the lower south west of Western Australia. This is an unwooded wine, with fermentation occurring in stainless steel tanks. A low temperature, protective regime was adopted during production, thereby preserving the fresh and finer varietal characters of the cool climate Chardonnay fruit.
Comments
In the glass, the Madfish Chardonnay 2003 displays fresh green tinges and a pale straw colour. The nose is typical of cool climate Chardonnay – melons and peach supported by finer grapefruit and mandarin aromas. Flavours of nectarine and rockmelon balance the initial tropical fruit, leading to an elegant citrus finish. As said by Aussie wine writer, Bill Thompson, the Madfish Chardonnay 2003 is "a wine to enjoy with spring sunshine and a good mate." Cheers.
Wine Profile
Madfish Shiraz
The wild setting of Madfish Bay in the far southern reaches of Western Australia is tranquil and untouched, characteristics mirrored in the pure, fresh, fruit driven Madfish wines. Often seen gracing the tables of cafes and at backyard barbecues from Broome to Rottnest Island on the coast of Western Australia, Madfish wines offer a contemporary, cool climate style with an emphasis on enjoyment and drinkability.
Region
Margaret River, Pemberton, Great Southern
Winemaking
The 2002 Madfish Shiraz was sourced from select vineyards in the Margaret River, Pemberton and Great Southern regions of Western Australia. The shiraz was fermented in open stainless steel tanks with twice daily pump-overs to aid fruit tannin development. Maturation in new, one and two year old French oak barriques for 12 months allowed the wine to develop and gain structure.
Comments
The objective of the Madfish Shiraz has always been to produce an elegant shiraz in which the fruit expression is ripe, but not jammy and the oak soft and hidden. The Madfish label has enjoyed considerable success in 2002/2003, and much of that is due to its high quality but every day drinking style. The 2002 Madfish Shiraz displays an outstanding rich and vibrant colour with a fragrant nose of black fruits, chocolate and fresh black pepper; classic shiraz characters from the South-West of Western Australia. The palate is rich in flavour, with a seductive lightness and elegance. Dark cherry fruits with spicy savoury notes are supported by fine tannin.
Wine Profile
Madfish Cabernet Merlot Cab Franc
The wild setting of Madfish Bay in the far southern reaches of Western Australia is tranquil and untouched, characteristics mirrored in the pure, fresh, fruit driven Madfish wines. Often seen gracing the tables of cafes and at backyard barbeques from Broome to Rottnest Island on the coast of Western Australia, Madfish wines offer a contemporary, cool climate style with an emphasis on enjoyment and drinkability.
Region
Great Southern, Margaret River, Pemberton
Winemaking
The grapes were sourced from the top three grapegrowing regions in Western Australia; the Great Southern, Margaret River and Pemberton, giving a complex array of regional characters. Fermentation in open vessels with traditional pumpovers produced a wine with loads of fruit flavors and background tannin providing structure. Maturation in French oak barriques for 10 months adds further complexity and structure without dominating the fruit.
Comments
This traditional blend of three classic grape varieties is designed to produce a wine with a complete palate profile. Cabernet Sauvignon is structurally the strongest variety with good flavor in the early and late part of the taste spectrum backed up by fine tannin. Merlot has less flavor persistence than Cabernet Sauvignon but has a wonderful mid palate fleshiness giving a sweet fruit centre to the wine. Cabernet Franc is highly aromatic providing a very attractive addition to the bouquet as well as contributing to the flavor early in the palate profile. The 2001 MadFish Cabernet Merlot Cabernet Franc is a bright plum red colour with a dark heart and a youthful purple rim. The nose is intense with ripe berry fruits and lovely background spice. The palate is intense with rich sweet fruit flavours supported by fine tannin and cedary oak. This is the most complete MadFish Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot / Cabernet Franc produced to date.
Wine Profile
Madfish Cabernet Shiraz
The wild setting of Madfish Bay in the far southern reaches of Western Australia is tranquil and untouched, characteristics mirrored in the pure, fresh, fruit driven Madfish wines. Often seen gracing the tables of cafes and at backyard barbeques from Broome to Rottnest Island on the coast of Western Australia, Madfish wines offer a contemporary, cool climate style with an emphasis on enjoyment and drinkability.
Region
Great Southern, Pemberton, Margaret River
Winemaking
The 54% cabernet sauvignon and 46% shiraz grapes for this wine were sourced from the Great Southern and Margaret River regions of Western Australia. The grapes were harvested at night, fermented in open topped stainless steel tanks with twice daily pumpovers to aid skin contact and maximise flavour and colour development. These separate batches were matured in 100% French oak barriques for 12 months prior to blending and bottling.
Comments
The exceptional quality of fruit for this wine is what has made it so unique. Crimson red with brilliant clarity, the MadFish Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz 2000 blends the noble cabernet sauvignon with boisterous shiraz. The resultant nose displays cassis, ripe plummy fruits and white pepper. The palate has a firm structure with rich, fleshy fruit and dusty tannins and long length. Reminiscent of a Rhone style wine, it is an elegant example of a blend very popular in Australia.
Reviews & Awards
Madfish Chardonnay
World’s Greatest Wine Values
89 MadFish Cab. Sauv. / Merlot / Cab. Franc 2001
89 MadFish Chardonnay 2002
89+ MadFish Shiraz 2002
89 MadFish Shiraz 2001
"The innovative creations of broker Ted Schrauth, these wines all emphasize the glorious fruit that can be obtained in Australia. The 2002 Chardonnay is a tank-fermented and aged white bursting with notes of orange rind and citrus oils offered in a fruit-driven, medium-bodied, pure style. Notions of tropical fruits are evident in the finish. With surprising texture as well as length, it will age nicely for a year. I recommended the 2001 Shiraz in a previous issue, but it is performing even better. A dense ruby / purple color is followed by abundant aromas of blackberry and berry fruit intermixed with hints of licorice, pepper, and earth. Fruit-driven, medium bodied, surprisingly concentrated, and supple-textured, it will drink well for 2-3 years. The 2002 Shiraz is all of the above… and more. Boasting an inky / purple color as well as more structure and power, it remains a fruit-laden effort with loads of charm and character. Consume it over the next 3-4 years. Another winner is the blend of 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot / Cabernet Franc. A gorgeously textured, ripe, fruity, medium-bodied wine, it exhibits more structure, spice box, tobacco, and cedar as well as black currant notes. Drink it over the next 2-3 years."
From Robert Parker Jr.’s, Wine Advocate – June 30, 2003
“An unwooded Chardonnay, with a peach and citrus profile. Soft and smooth in the mouth, the wine finishes with pear. Enjoyable, and easy to drink.” -Wine Enthusiast
Reviews & Awards
Madfish Shiraz
World’s Greatest Wine Values
89 MadFish Cab. Sauv. / Merlot / Cab. Franc 2001
89 MadFish Chardonnay 2002
89+ MadFish Shiraz 2002
89 MadFish Shiraz 2001
"The innovative creations of broker Ted Schrauth, these wines all emphasize the glorious fruit that can be obtained in Australia. The 2002 Chardonnay is a tank-fermented and aged white bursting with notes of orange rind and citrus oils offered in a fruit-driven, medium-bodied, pure style. Notions of tropical fruits are evident in the finish. With surprising texture as well as length, it will age nicely for a year. I recommended the 2001 Shiraz in a previous issue, but it is performing even better. A dense ruby / purple color is followed by abundant aromas of blackberry and berry fruit intermixed with hints of licorice, pepper, and earth. Fruit-driven, medium bodied, surprisingly concentrated, and supple-textured, it will drink well for 2-3 years. The 2002 Shiraz is all of the above… and more. Boasting an inky / purple color as well as more structure and power, it remains a fruit-laden effort with loads of charm and character. Consume it over the next 3-4 years. Another winner is the blend of 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot / Cabernet Franc. A gorgeously textured, ripe, fruity, medium-bodied wine, it exhibits more structure, spice box, tobacco, and cedar as well as black currant notes. Drink it over the next 2-3 years."
From Robert Parker Jr.’s, Wine Advocate – June 30, 2003
89+ Points
“Boasting an inky purple color as well as more (than 2001) structure & power, it remains a fruit laden effort with loads and character…” -Robert Parker
Reviews & Awards
Madfish Cabernet Merlot Cab Franc
World’s Greatest Wine Values
89 MadFish Cab. Sauv. / Merlot / Cab. Franc 2001
89 MadFish Chardonnay 2002
89+ MadFish Shiraz 2002
89 MadFish Shiraz 2001
"The innovative creations of broker Ted Schrauth, these wines all emphasize the glorious fruit that can be obtained in Australia. The 2002 Chardonnay is a tank-fermented and aged white bursting with notes of orange rind and citrus oils offered in a fruit-driven, medium-bodied, pure style. Notions of tropical fruits are evident in the finish. With surprising texture as well as length, it will age nicely for a year. I recommended the 2001 Shiraz in a previous issue, but it is performing even better. A dense ruby / purple color is followed by abundant aromas of blackberry and berry fruit intermixed with hints of licorice, pepper, and earth. Fruit-driven, medium bodied, surprisingly concentrated, and supple-textured, it will drink well for 2-3 years. The 2002 Shiraz is all of the above… and more. Boasting an inky / purple color as well as more structure and power, it remains a fruit-laden effort with loads of charm and character. Consume it over the next 3-4 years. Another winner is the blend of 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot / Cabernet Franc. A gorgeously textured, ripe, fruity, medium-bodied wine, it exhibits more structure, spice box, tobacco, and cedar as well as black currant notes. Drink it over the next 2-3 years."
From Robert Parker Jr.’s, Wine Advocate – June 30, 2003
88 Points
“A gorgeously textured, ripe, fruity, medium-bodied wine. It exhibits more structure, spice box, tobacco and cedar as well as black currant notes...” -Robert Parker
Reviews & Awards
Madfish Cabernet Shiraz
World’s Greatest Wine Values
89 MadFish Cab. Sauv. / Merlot / Cab. Franc 2001
89 MadFish Chardonnay 2002
89+ MadFish Shiraz 2002
89 MadFish Shiraz 2001
"The innovative creations of broker Ted Schrauth, these wines all emphasize the glorious fruit that can be obtained in Australia. The 2002 Chardonnay is a tank-fermented and aged white bursting with notes of orange rind and citrus oils offered in a fruit-driven, medium-bodied, pure style. Notions of tropical fruits are evident in the finish. With surprising texture as well as length, it will age nicely for a year. I recommended the 2001 Shiraz in a previous issue, but it is performing even better. A dense ruby / purple color is followed by abundant aromas of blackberry and berry fruit intermixed with hints of licorice, pepper, and earth. Fruit-driven, medium bodied, surprisingly concentrated, and supple-textured, it will drink well for 2-3 years. The 2002 Shiraz is all of the above… and more. Boasting an inky / purple color as well as more structure and power, it remains a fruit-laden effort with loads of charm and character. Consume it over the next 3-4 years. Another winner is the blend of 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot / Cabernet Franc. A gorgeously textured, ripe, fruity, medium-bodied wine, it exhibits more structure, spice box, tobacco, and cedar as well as black currant notes. Drink it over the next 2-3 years."
From Robert Parker Jr.’s, Wine Advocate – June 30, 2003
“The nose displays cassis, ripe plumy fruits and white pepper. The palate has a firm structure with rich, fleshy fruit and dusty tannins and long length…” -Wine Maker