The Story Behind Adon

Adon, meaning Lord, carries a deeply personal significance, named after the winemaker’s son, Markus, whose second name it bears. Long before his son was born, the name Markus was chosen with a sense of anticipation, and Adon became a fulfillment of that dream.

Despite his young age, Markus has been an influential presence in the winemaking process, showing a natural curiosity and passion for the craft. Adon reflects this shared journey—a wine that bridges generations, celebrating heritage, family, and the artistry of blending Malta’s indigenous grapes with international varieties. It is as much a story of legacy as it is of meticulous craftsmanship.

Adon

Unveil Adon’s Innovation and Tradition

Embrace Its Boldness

Adon is a dynamic red wine that blends Malta’s heritage with modern winemaking. Showcasing Ġellewża fermented with Girgentina skins, two of Malta’s indigenous treasures, it is complemented by bold Syrah and a selection of other varieties, adjusted yearly to reflect the vintage.

Predominantly aged in French oak, with a touch of American oak for added complexity, Adon represents the energy of youth and the spirit of experimentation. Seamlessly merging contemporary techniques with classic influences, this wine delivers a unique and evolving expression with every vintage.

Vintage

Adon 2022

BLEND

35% Gellewza, 35% Syrah, 30% Merlot

Planted Between 1989-2004 on Limestone, Calcareous Soil and Terra Rossa.

METHOD AND PRODUCTION

Bottles Produced: 955 (75cl)

Fermentation of Girgentina skins with Gellewza for 12–15 days, with extended maceration of Syrah for 25 days. The wine was blended and aged for 18 months in 25% American oak and 75% French oak barrels to enhance structure and complexity.

Alcohol: 12.5% ABV

APPEARANCE, NOSE & PALATE

Appearance: Medium intensity ruby color with hints of purple, showcasing youthful vibrancy.

Nose: Pronounced intensity with youthful yet multi-dimensional aromas. Primary notes include black pepper, fresh and ripe black fruits like blackberry and blackcurrant, red fruits such as red cherries, red plum, and strawberry, with herbal thyme, sage, garrigue, mint, and herbaceous grassy undertones. Minerality from wet stones and a touch of balsamic and jamminess adds depth. Secondary aromas reveal butter, cream, vanilla, coconut, cedar, sweet spices, and sandalwood, alongside buttery, cheesy notes from malolactic fermentation (MLF). Tertiary aromas from deliberate oxidation and bottle aging introduce caramel, fresh and cooked blackberries, leather, forest floor, mushroom, and a slight vegetal character.

Palate: Dry with high acidity and full body. The robust tannins and medium alcohol provide balance and structure, while pronounced intensity delivers a bold and elegant profile. Flavors mirror the nose, with a medium-plus finish showcasing garrigue and thyme herbs.

Last tasted on: 30/12/2024

WINEMAKER’S NOTES

Adon 2022 exhibits superb acidity due to the winemaking approach of two harvests—one slightly under-ripe to enhance acidity and another perfectly ripe to build structure. This wine evokes the essence of walking through the garrigue herbs of the Dingli Cliffs. Its refined complexity and layered flavors make it an excellent candidate for aging.

Serving Temperature: 18°C

Optimal Drinking Period: Best enjoyed between 2023 and 2038,

FOOD PAIRING

Adon 2022 is a versatile partner for rich and hearty meals. Pair it with a fillet steak in pepper sauce, T-bone, or rib-eye, where its acidity and herbaceous notes balance the meat’s richness. Traditional Maltese braggioli and beef stew benefit from the wine’s earthy depth. For a rustic pairing, enjoy it with rich rabbit stew, where its structure and herbal nuances enhance the dish’s flavors. A wine that perfectly complements bold, flavorful cuisine.

Vintage

Adon 2021

BLEND

50% Gellewza, 23% Syrah, 19% Merlot, 7% Sangiovese, 1% Primitivo

Planted Between 1989-2004 on Limestone, CLay, Calcareous Soil and Terra Rossa.

METHOD AND PRODUCTION

Bottles Produced: 1150 (75cl)

72 (150cl)

Alcohol: 12.5% ABV

APPEARANCE, NOSE & PALATE

Appearance: Medium intensity ruby color with very slight hints of development, showcasing its potential for aging.

Nose: Pronounced intensity with developing aromas. Primary notes include red cherries, red plum, strawberry, blackberry, and Syrah’s characteristic black pepper. Minerality from wet stones, a hint of balsamic, and a touch of jamminess add depth. Secondary aromas reveal toasty oak, vanilla, cumin, cinnamon, cloves, cedar, and sandalwood, alongside buttery, cheesy notes from malolactic fermentation (MLF). Tertiary aromas from bottle aging include caramel, coffee (still evolving), cooked blackberries, leather, animal, meat, game, forest floor, vegetal nuances, and mushroom, adding layers of complexity.

Palate: Dry with high acidity and medium-plus body. Medium alcohol and medium-plus intensity create a well-balanced profile. Flavors mirror the nose, with a medium-plus finish highlighted by sweet spices and black pepper, showcasing finesse and depth.

Last tasted on: 30/12/2024

WINEMAKER’S NOTES

Adon 2021 is crafted using a two-harvest approach—one slightly under-ripe to enhance acidity and another perfectly ripe to build structure. This meticulous process creates a wine of great finesse and longevity, with an aging potential of 18–20 years.

Serving Temperature: 18°C

Optimal Drinking Period: Best enjoyed between 2022 and 2040,

FOOD PAIRING

Adon 2021 pairs beautifully with bold and savory dishes. Its structure and spice notes complement pepper-crusted teriyaki tuna belly, offering a perfect balance of acidity and richness. This versatile wine also pairs well with dishes showcasing red and black fruit accompaniments, enhancing the depth of each bite. A wine built for both sophistication and indulgence.

Vintage

Adon 2020

BLEND

79% Syrah, 21% Gellewza.

Planted Between 1989-2004 on Clay and Calcareous Soil.

METHOD AND PRODUCTION

Bottles Produced: 550 (75cl)

24 (150cl)

Fermentation of Girgentina skins with Gellewza for 12–15 days, with extended maceration of Syrah for 137 days. The wine was blended and aged for 18 months in 25% American oak and 75% French oak barrels to develop complexity and depth.

Alcohol: 13.7% ABV

APPEARANCE, NOSE & PALATE

Appearance: Medium intensity ruby color with slight signs of development, hinting at its evolving complexity.

Nose: Pronounced intensity with developing aromas. Primary notes of red cherries, red plum, blackberries, and Syrah’s signature black pepper are complemented by wet stone minerality, mint, and a touch of balsamic. Secondary aromas reveal toasty oak, vanilla, sweet coconut, cumin, cinnamon, cloves, cedar, butter, and cream from malolactic fermentation (MLF). Tertiary aromas from bottle aging include caramel, coffee, prunes, dried blackberries, leather, mushroom, forest floor, slight game, and vegetal notes of red peppers.

Palate: Dry with high acidity and a medium-plus body. Medium alcohol and pronounced intensity create a balanced and refined profile. Flavors mirror the nose, with a long, lingering finish of coconut, sweet spices, and black pepper, showcasing finesse and depth.

Last tasted on: 30/12/2024

WINEMAKER’S NOTES

Adon 2020 is a medium-bodied wine with robust structure, designed to age gracefully and develop additional complexity in the bottle. Its balanced intensity and nuanced profile make it a wine of distinction.

Serving Temperature: 18°C

Optimal Drinking Period: Best enjoyed between 2021 and 2042.

FOOD PAIRING

Adon 2020 pairs beautifully with rich and savory dishes. Enjoy it with veal in a cream, peppercorn, and mushroom sauce, where its spice and acidity balance the dish’s richness. It also complements barbecue ribs, enhancing the smoky sweetness and creating a harmonious pairing. This wine is perfect for hearty meals that celebrate bold flavors.

Vintage

Adon 2019

BLEND

40% Gellewza, 35% Syrah, 25% Merlot.

Planted Between 1989-2004 on Clay, Calcareous Soil and Limestone.

METHOD AND PRODUCTION

Bottles Produced: 800 (75cl)

84 (150cl)

Fermentation of Girgentina skins with Gellewza for 12–15 days, with extended maceration of Syrah and Merlot for 25 days. The wine was blended and aged for 18 months in 25% American oak and 75% French oak barrels to create a multi-layered and elegant style.

Alcohol: 13% ABV

APPEARANCE, NOSE & PALATE

Appearance: Medium intensity garnet color with signs of development, reflecting its maturity and complexity.

Nose: Pronounced intensity with developing aromas. Primary notes of red cherries, red plum, strawberry, sweet balsamic glaze, black pepper, and white pepper are complemented by wet stone minerality. Secondary aromas include smoky wood, oak, sweet coconut, vanilla, cumin, cinnamon, cloves, butter, and cream from malolactic fermentation (MLF). Tertiary characteristics from bottle aging reveal caramel, coffee, dried plums, leather, meat, game, farmyard, savory elements, mushroom, forest floor, and vegetal nuances.

Palate: Dry with high acidity and a medium body. Medium alcohol and medium-plus intensity create a refined and approachable profile. Flavors are consistent with the nose, delivering a medium-plus finish that balances lightness with complexity and finesse.

Last tasted on: 30/12/2024

WINEMAKER’S NOTES

Adon 2019 was crafted to achieve a medium-bodied, approachable style with layers of complexity and elegance. The inclusion of the winemaker’s signature balsamic glaze notes adds a distinctive touch. With an aging potential of 16 years, this wine will continue to evolve beautifully over time.

Serving Temperature: 18°C

Optimal Drinking Period: Best enjoyed between 2020 and 2037,

FOOD PAIRING

Adon 2019 is a versatile companion for both rustic and refined dishes. Pair it with rabbit stew or duck breasts, where its savory notes complement the richness of the meat. It also pairs beautifully with quail and classic Mediterranean dishes like melanzane parmigiana or chicken cacciatore, where its acidity balances the dish’s hearty flavors. A wine that celebrates tradition and sophistication in equal measure.