2021 Mount Mary Chardonnay 750ml

Hand picked, 20% whole-bunch pressed, the balance crushed and destemmed. Matured in French puncheons and barriques (30% new) for 11 months. A light, bright gold with green tinges. Seductive with its bouquet of melon, fresh fig, yellow peach, chamomile and a little lemongrass. A savoury nuance, too. On the palate, which is powerful, densely packed and structured, you'll find some grapefruit pith and hazelnut. Finishes extremely long, saline and gently grippy.

- 96 Points Halliday Rating, Philip Rich, Published 02 August 2023

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From producer: 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.

This is an intense wine radiating concentration and complexity. It opens with a little struck match, honey, melon and pear on the nose. The palate is beautifully weighted and concentrated showing all the hallmarks of Yarra Valley Chardonnay being purity of fruit, elegance and length. The palate is a touch riper than previous vintages,  leading with flavours of pear, stone fruits and ripe apple rather than citrus notes. French oak adds some structure, supporting the mid-palate richness of this wine. The textural component,  so important to this wines style, is present but perhaps not as prominent as previous vintages.