2021 The Story Marsanne Roussanne Viognier

95 pts
Rich, hedonistic and luscious, this is a very satisfying Victorian take on a Rhone White blend.

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Description

It still surprises us that in a region so dominated by Shiraz, the only plantings of Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier in the Grampians are tucked away in Rory Lane’s care.

Rory makes it in a style that nods to the Rhône more than most Aussie examples. Wild yeast in old French oak, full malo, close to a year on lees, bottled unfiltered. Nothing fancy, just a slow, thoughtful approach that builds texture and lets the varieties knit together.

The 2021 release has all the things you want from this blend - stone fruits, apricot, a bit of spice and smoke - but it’s the feel of it that really makes you stop. Creamy and full, but with enough freshness. It’s generous without being heavy, savoury without being austere.

Campbell Mattinson called it “a winner on all fronts” and gave it 95 points. It's proof that the Rhône whites can sing every bit as clearly as Shiraz on Grampians soil.

"It tastes genuinely delicious. For price, quality and flavour profile, you can't lose here."
- Campbell Mattinson (Halliday Wine Companion)

Campbell Mattinson

Campbell Mattinson

The Wine Front 95 Points

Fantastic wine. Rich, viscous, fresh through the finish and beautifully sustained. First sip and it’s ‘put down your glasses’ time. Apricots, stones and spices. Feel, flavour and flesh, all in a good place.

Campbell Mattinson

Campbell Mattinson

Halliday Wine Companion 95 Points

The depth of flavour, the slippery softness of the texture and the resultant length – this is a winner on all fronts. It tastes of apricots, stones, woodsmoke and a wild array of woodsy spices, and at every point, it tastes genuinely delicious. For price, quality and flavour profile, you can't lose here.

Grown at Westgate Vineyard, site of some of our best Shiraz grapes. We convinced the owner to pull out cabernet and plant 3 rows of Marsanne and one each of Roussanne and Viognier. Crazily, it is the only Marsanne and Roussanne in the region. 2019 is now the 10th vintage of this wine, and again all varieties were picked and pressed together, settled overnight and then racked to and allowed to ferment with wild yeasts in very old French puncheons and barriques. The wine was allowed to complete malolactic fermentation, which I think makes the wine more vinous, delicate and less fruity. Almost paradoxically the malo contributes to the transparency and unforced feel of the wine without sacrificing line. It is held on gross lees for a full 11 months, and is neither cold stabilised nor fined in any way, and in 2019 we decided to again bottle it unfiltered. Mid weight, with a gentle grip to close. Leaner but more intense than 2016, possibly closest to 2011 in style, but with more creamy texture.

Price Bracket $30 or Less
Type White
Body Full Bodied
Variety Marsanne
Country Australia
Region Grampians
Australian State VIC
Reviewed By Halliday Wine Companion
Critic Score 95
Alcohol 12.5%
Size 750ml
Vintage 2021
Closure Screw Cap

The Story

Rory Lane, the main man at The Story, didn't have an entirely conventional path to the wine world. With a degree in ancient Greek tragedy, comparative literature, and politics, he stumbled into winemaking and found he had more than a knack for it.

Since 2004, he's been tinkering with predominantly Rhône varieties in the Grampians, turning out some unique expressions from this Shiraz-heavy region. His winery is located in the city suburbs of Melbourne, not your typical winery setting, but it suits him down to a tee.

Rory's winemaking philosophy is to keep it relatively simple and hands-off. Grapes arrive, get gently processed, and then are left to their own devices with minimal interference. No additives, no excessive tinkering. Just good, solid, classic winemaking producing some exceptional value wines.

Winemaker Rory Lane The Story

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