2018 Marli Russell by Mount Mary RP1

Marli Russell

Australia / Yarra Valley / Marli Russell

45% Marsanne, 45% Roussanne and 10% Clairette. This wine is very much set in a leaner, lighter framework than is typical of these varieties when grown in warmer regions. Stylistically it is of the same vein as other Mount Mary white wines. This wine should never be served too cold for fear of drastically muting the aromatic profile and killing the delicate array of flavours on the palate. Just below room temperature is ideal.
The fruit was destemmed and crushed to press. 100% barrel fermentation before 11 months ageing. No new oak but one second-fill barrel was used. Minimal lees stirring and no malolactic conversion. The wine was bottled unfined and lightly filtered.
This wine shows beautiful floral aromatics. It is dominated by crisp just ripe pear (thanks to the Roussanne) while the Marsanne brings in riper melon and honeyed aromatics. The palate is crisp and tight at this point but with more than adequate concentration and flavour. We anticipate this wine will develop more richness, spice and nuttiness with time in bottle, developing into something quite special for those with patience. – Sam Middleton, Mount Mary

June, 2020

Gary Walsh

The Wine Front

94+ points

Quince, lime, almond, a slight flinty/smoky note, honey and flowers. It’s tight, and focused, the fine chalky texture very appealing, delivers crunch and lime/green apple flavour, and finishes long and firm, with an almost quinine bitterness (as a positive, of course) and melon rind. Feels like it will go very well with bottle age.

James Halliday

Halliday Wine Companion 2021

94 points

40% each Marsanne and Roussanne, 20% Clairette, fermented and matured in used French oak. The discipline of thought and deed is the anchor of the Mount Mary approach to every wine in its portfolio, this crisply savoury wine a prime example. It's harder to do less, but if the situation requires it, so be it.

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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.