2016 Mount Mary Pinot Noir

Mount Mary

Australia / Yarra Valley / Mount Mary

We often find our Pinots made in the warmer vintages surprise us the most when tasted in vertical line-ups. We believe this speaks to the uniqueness of our site, in particular the cold nights we experience during the growing season here at Mount Mary. The nose of the 2016 Pinot noir shows all the hallmarks of what we have come to expect from Mount Mary Pinot. Stewed strawberries, plums and the very familiar quince character are here, so often present in our Pinots. There is earthiness and spice on the nose adding complexity. The palate is firm with ripe tannin but complemented with juicy, rich dark fruits, perfectly matched with high-quality French oak. This wine is built for the dinner table, to be enjoyed with great food and excellent company. It will continue to develop beautifully for another decade and beyond. – Sam Middleton

October, 2018

James Halliday

Halliday Wine Companion 2019

97 points

Hand-picked, sorted via vibrating sorting tables, part crushed, part whole berry, 10-14 days on skins, matured for 11 months in French oak (27% new). Upper Yarra Valley complex texture, flavour and structure; dark berries/plums with pinot tannins woven through the fabric of the palate, length and balance up to the usual standards. A great achievement for the vintage.

October, 2018

Nick Stock

jamessuckling.com

94 points

There are deeply fragrant cherries and plums, as well as fresh undergrowth, blueberries, violets and alluring baking spices. The tannins are an important part of the wine. Savoury and firm but silky. There’s a strong character and style present here. Good depth and drive. Give this time. Try from 2022.

September, 2018

Gary Walsh

The Wine Front

96 points

None of your sweet and sour fruit profile here, that I see in many a local Pinot Noir. Raspberry, cherry, strawberry, cedar and spice, fennel and mushrooms, roses too. Medium-bodied, at best, fresh red fruits, bright acidity, plenty of flavour, with graphite tannin keeping it long, firm and tense. Finish is perfumed, kind of autumnal, and very long with that beautiful tannin cleaning it up so nicely. It has reach, and personality. In short, it’s very good. I really like it. A lot.

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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.