2022 Mount Mary Chardonnay

WINEMAKER: Sam Middelton
REGION: Yarra Valley, VIC
VARIETY: Chardonnay
VITICULTURE: Organic/Biodynamic

"The 2022 Chardonnay is such a great representation of Mount Mary Chardonnay from the distinctly warmer season. There is a slightly reductive, smoky character evident on initial pour that quickly dissipates to reveal a brilliantly defined, pure fruit profile. There are obvious leaner notes of grapefruit pith and citrus, but really these characters play second fiddle to riper melon and stone fruit characters. There is French oak derived complexity in the aromatics here, which is there to support rather than overpower the fruit and vineyard expression. The palate is concentrated and full of all the flavours that make Chardonnay so unbelievably enjoyable to drink The balance of fruit, savoury oak characters, texture from phenolics and acid are all working in harmony, as they should." - Sam Middelton

Set in the heart of the Yarra Valley, Mount Mary is a family owned estate crafting finessed wines across 40 acres of vines. The single vineyard estate is now run by Sam Middleton who works diligently in the vines as his father, David, and grandfather, John, once did. At the forefront of the resurgence of the Yarra Valley, the Middleton family has not taken the foot of the pedal as they continue to innovate and future proof their vines generation after generation.

Finding similarities to Burgundy and Bordeaux, the terroir of the Yarra Valley is the perfect platform for winemakers such as the Middletons to develop their fine wines to rival that of France. Following numerous visits to Bordeaux and Burgundy in the 1960s, John and Marli Middleton looked to acknowledge their passion for premium French wines through forming their own estate in the heart of the Yarra Valley. With an unwavering commitment to making elegant, low alcohol wines from French grape varietals, the couple secured the property now known as Mount Mary in 1971.

Working the vines sustainably, the team at Mount Mary have a keen interest in soil health adopting practices such as spreading compost to increase soil organic matter, and mulching undervine with straw to increase soil water retention. Minimising the use of machinery each vintage is also in action to help reduce the soil compaction between the rows of vines. Additionally, cover crops are sown down every alternate row helping to increase soil organic matter, improve soil structure and provide a home for the many beneficial insects which play an important role in pest management.