2019 Marli Russell by Mount Mary RP1

Marli Russell

Australia / Yarra Valley / Marli Russell

The 2019 vintage was our second very warm, dry vintage in a row here at Mount Mary. We had some very welcome rain around mid to late December which set us up beautifully leading into January and the véraison period of the growing season. The vines displayed moderate fruitfulness, leading to a much better shoot-to-fruit ratio and balance across our vineyard.
Our Marli Russell wines continue to show gradual improvement since our first bottling under this label in 2014. The vineyards are now 12 years old and are really starting to produce fruit of great concentration, balance and purity, with much clearer varietal expression. We continue to make adjustments in the winery where we see fit, in the pursuit of perfecting the wines we are making from these new (by Mount Mary standards) and exciting varieties.
In 2019 our RP1 is a blend of 40% Marsanne, 40% Roussanne, 20% Clairette. This wine continues in the vein of being a little leaner and tighter than what is typically expected of these varieties. What sets it apart from other Marsanne/Roussanne blends in Australia is the addition of the Clairette, a most intriguing variety both in the way it grows, and the wines it produces. This wine looks vastly different at room temperature than when it is served too cold. It should never be served straight from the fridge!
On the nose this wine displays lemongrass, honeydew melon and just-ripe pineapple. On the palate citrus flavours dominate but there are some riper, rounder flavours that develop with time in the glass and will become a lot more prominent with some ageing in the cellar. There is a light phenolic structure to the palate giving this wine some crunch and complementing the length of flavour. We expect this wine to age extremely well over the next 10-15 years. – Sam Middleton, Mount Mary

Jane Faulkner

Halliday Wine Companion 2022

94 points.

45/45/10% Marsanne/roussanne/clairette. The mid straw gold colour indicates some development, as do the ripe flavours. A mix of stone fruit, quince, nougatine and bitter lemon with some phenolic grip, so the finish is wonderfully crisp and dry, almost brittle.

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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.