2018 Mount Mary Chardonnay

98 pts Highly Rated
A wonderfully precise example of the benchmark that is Mount Mary Chardonnay. The 2018 is a picture-perfect release from Sam Middleton.

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Description

The famed old vines on the Mount Mary estate yield some of the finest Chardonnay in the district.

Sensitive winemaking from Sam Middleton and respect for the fruit is at the core of this wine. Sam looks to support the Chardonnay with high quality oak (around 30% new), a relatively hard pressing to extract more in the way of texture and some lees stirring. Malo is avoided to retain acid purity. Finesse is the name of the game here.

In 2018 Sam Middleton pulls together an exceptional Yarra Chardonnay. In seasons like this, you just want to get out of the road and let the fruit speak. Sam nailed it.

In the words of James Halliday, this is "Just when you think the Mount Mary wines can't get any better (at the point of release), they do."

98 Points - "Multiple clones, hand-picked, crushed and destemmed, fermented French oak (30% new), matured for 11 months. Pale straw-green; extremely focused and wrapped in a skein of citrussy acidity, the palate of extreme length, its future guaranteed by its screwcap. Just when you think the Mount Mary wines can't get any better (at the point of release), they do." - James Halliday (Halliday Wine Companion)

95 Points - "Plenty of struck match, lime, almond, and white flowers (including vanilla, of course). It’s full of flavour, albeit set to a somewhat tangy and grapefruity expression, with plenty of grip and grainy texture, lime rind, spice and some honey water sweetness. Finish is long and intense, with a tonic-like twang, and zesty appeal. Excellent. Needs a couple of years to settle down." - Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

We aim to make a Chardonnay with great length, which reaches a balance between richness and elegance.

While some techniques are borrowed from the Burgundians, there are some departures from traditional practice in response to local factors, which ensures a unique wine. The most notable of these is that our Chardonnay does not undergo malolactic fermentation, as our local climate leaves the fruit with ideal acidity when it is picked.

Our Chardonnay is matured in 30% new French oak barriques with the remainder in older barrels and large casks (1500L). The entire production is barrel fermented. Relatively hard pressing is employed to give the wine texture and lees stirring is carried out to add complexity and body.

The Chardonnay is matured in barrel for 11 months prior to bottling.

Price Bracket $101 and Above
Type White
Body Full Bodied
Variety Chardonnay
Country Australia
Region Yarra Valley
Australian State VIC
Feature High Score
Reviewed By Halliday Wine Companion
The Wine Front
Critic Score 95
98
Size 15
Vintage 2018

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