Who makes it?
Mount Mary has long been one of Australia’s leading lights producing stunning wines such as this Chardonnay. Their Bordeaux blends, labelled as quintet for the red and triolet for the white. There are also two other ranges. The Marli, named after Marli Russell, one of the founders of the estate and Reflexion.
The estate was planted at the start of the 1970s during the initial revitalisation of the Yarra. The Valley was first planted to vineyards by Swiss settlers in the 1800s. As a result of the recession of the 1930s, vineyards were grubbed up to take advantage of abundant pastoral opportunities. Mount Mary was amongst those first replantings. Their iconic wines are either those Bordeaux blends or Burgundian specialities of Pinot Noir or Chardonnay.
How they make it?
The Mount Mary Chardonnay has been matured in a well judged French oak regime involving less than a third new oak. The rest of the wine has been matured in seasoned oak in both large and small format for 11 months. Importantly, the Chardonnay has not gone through malolactic fermentation. This has left the wine with a bright, natural acid shine.
What does it taste like?
The waft arising the glass is of grapefruit, stonefruit and apple fruit enriched with a rich creamy nuttiness. These complex aromas continue on to the spiced palate. The fuller body has a lively slush of soft acid. It is a faceted white wine, creamy with a fleshy curvaceousness. And there is plenty of time to appreciate the very long fresh citrus and spice finish. The Mount Mary wines are notoriously good cellaring wines.
What to drink it with?
Food is certainly not necessary here. However, it is very enjoyable with a wide range of dishes from a cheese roulade filled with crisped pancetta. Or a chicken breast stuffed with breadcrumbs, chopped herbs and nuts. Particularly if it is a cellared vintage which can easily take on more honeyed and savoury characters.
Quickie review « A faceted Chardonnay that is soft and flavourful. You might need more than one…. just in case you have trouble resisting those resting in the cellar. »
Country of Origin: Yarra Valley, Australia
Tasting Date:
Price: AU$165
Drink: now – 7+ years
Needs food: no
Source: tasting
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First published October 2020, updated June 2025
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