2016 Marli Russell by Mount Mary RP1

Mount Mary

Australia / Yarra Valley / Mount Mary

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 Mount Mary

Mount Mary is one of the great small wineries of Australia, established by Dr John Middleton in 1972. Production is tiny. Mount Mary is noted for both the character and high quality of its wines. Since the first vintage in 1976, it has established itself as one of Australia's most highly regarded producers, commanding a mythical status among wine collectors. The vineyard faces due north and captures optimum sunlight during the growing season. The purity of fruit, poise and structure of Quintet, a Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot blend, epitomises the estate. It resonates with individuality of place and Dr John’s fastidious respect for the landscape. Mount Mary has continued to take great steps forward while staying true to the vision of Dr John, whose son David oversees the business while grandson Sam Middleton has taken on the winemaking mantle with aplomb.
“It’s axiomatic that generational change can be good or bad, obvious or discreet. The changes at Mount Mary have been unambiguously good, but fittingly discreet.” – James Halliday

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.