2016 Marli Russell by Mount Mary RP1

Marli Russell

Australia / Yarra Valley / Marli Russell

40% Marsanne, 40% Roussanne, 20% Clairette. 2016 was a rather warm, dry vintage, perfectly suited to the traditional Southern Rhône varieties we have growing here at Mount Mary. We have adopted a similar approach to the way we make our other white wines at Mount Mary. Barrel fermenting, lees stirring and relatively hard pressing give this wine great texture and depth of flavour. We pick these varieties relatively early to avoid excessive viscosity, which can occur when these varieties are grown in warmer climates and picked riper. These varieties were initially intended for blending with the other seven varieties planted; however, we decided they had too much potential as a stand-alone white blend. The Clairette makes its debut in the 2016 RP1. We feel it contributes to an improved, more complex blend. We look forward to the evolution of this wine as our new vineyards develop some age and we continue to learn more about how these varieties grow at Mount Mary.
The 2016 RP1 bursts from the glass with beautiful floral aromas of lychee, white peach, pear and fresh lime. Aromatically, the Roussanne and Clairette play a more dominant role than that of the Marsanne. The Marsanne gives this blend its delicious fresh pear and honeydew sweetness in the mid palate. The Roussanne offers exceptional drive and focus due to its naturally high acid profile and excellent phenolic structure. It’s a wine with great length where the intensity seems to build on the back palate, long after the wine has departed. – Sam Middleton, Mount Mary

May, 2018

Mike Bennie

The Wine Front

94 points

Shows quince and lemon, lime leaf and blossom, puffs of fragrant talc too. It’s lean and focussed, trim and precise in the palate, drives with energy across a scintillating length. Compact wine of high refreshment factor but undoubted pedigree. This is a fantastic, understated yet elegant wine. And drinkability is through the roof.

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About Marli Russell

Marli Russell is a pioneering range to further explore the potential of the Middleton family's site and complement the traditional Mount Mary range. Back in 2007, a year after the death of Dr John Middleton, the family embarked on what was initially known as their ‘Rhône Project’. Ever-changing environmental conditions and the purchase of adjacent land inspired them to plant seven Rhône varieties. Three white grapes went in - Marsanne, Roussanne and Clairette – alongside four red varieties: Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvèdre and Cinsault.
Marli Middleton, née Russell, was the inspiration behind the label. As wife of Dr John, she was co-founder of the estate and grandmother to current winemaker Sam. These wines boast all the class, intrigue and balance of the Mount Mary wines, and are poignant recognition of Marli’s enthusiasm for the younger generation to continue in the pursuit of new ideas.

About

Sam Middleton is a third generation wine maker from the Mount Mary family. He holds a degree in Agricultural Science from the University of Melbourne as well as a degree in Wine Science from Charles Sturt University. His background includes employment at several significant producers including Coldstream Hills and Dominique Portet. Sam has gained experience in France working a vintage in Burgundy in 2009 and travelling extensively through other wine regions on a number of occasions since. Bordeaux is of special interest to him as a result of its role in Mount Mary's history. Growing up in the Yarra Valley alongside his father and grandfather, grapes and wine have always been a part of life. He has always demonstrated a passion for primary production and has a deep respect for this region and its unique ability to produce world-class wines.