2018 Marli Russell by Mount Mary RP1

Mount Mary

Australia / Yarra Valley / Mount Mary

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 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.