2022 Vintage Report
The 2022 crop was drastically reduced by very poor weather in November 2021, affecting the extremely critical flowering/ fruit set period of the growing season. Pinot and Chardonnay were hit the hardest, where we saw some of the lowest crops per acre we have experienced. The weather that followed flowering however was nothing short of idyllic ripening conditions. Warm and dry weather through Jan, Feb and March leading to a long Indian summer. This warmer weather combined with extremely low crops has produced wines with great fruit power, structure and intensity.
2022 Quintet
48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot.
Our Quintet
Our vineyard is planted to Cabernet sauvignon (50%), Merlot (25%), Cabernet franc (15%), Malbec (5%) and Petit verdot (5%). The percentage of each variety that goes into the final blend changes with the season as factors such as fruitfulness and fruit set vary. We believe the most critical winemaking decision is precisely when to harvest our grapes. With this wine in particular, the decision plays such an important role in dictating the style and quality produced as it determines the flavour profile, ripeness of tannins and the acid and alcohol levels. These varieties ferment on skins for around 12-16 days. This is followed by 22 months) of barrel maturation, with 25% of the blend in large format oak (1500L or larger), and 30% in new barriques (225L). The remaining wine is matured in 2-5 year old barriques. Minimal fining and filtration is carried out prior to bottling.
Quintet Production
Average yield: 35-40HL/Ha (2.5T/acre)
Fruit processing: Destemmed/Partially Crushed
Each variety is harvested at optimum ripeness, processed, fermented and aged separately.
Primary Fermentation: Combination of static and open top fermenters. Pumped over 3 times/day.
Average skin contact time 12-16 days.
Malolactic fermentation: Conducted in barrel
Yeast: Various
Ageing: 22 months in combination of large format barrels (up to 2000L) and 225L barriques. 30% new, 30% second fil, and the balance in 3-6 year old barrels.
Irrigation: Nil
2022 Quintet Technical Notes
Harvest dates: 16/03/2022 - 29/04/2022
Bottling date: 05/10/2023
Alc: 13.5%
2022 Quintet Release Tasting Note (October 2024)
Here we have an example of just how good these varieties can be in this great valey, when idyllic ripening conditions present themselves. Both the aromatics and palate of this wine are of a slightly darker, more brooding flavour profile. The nose shows some cherries (often more prominent in the cooler vintages) but is dominated by blue fruits, namely blackcurrant, blueberries and violets. There i s the customary complexity on the nose from wood spice and leafy undertones contributing a sense of freshness amongst the riper fruit aromatics. The palate is concentrated, intense and full of vibrant primary fruit flavours. An abundance of fine grain tannins set the framework and balance the impressive fruit profile. These tannins are quite prominent now but will soften with time in bottle. This vintage demonstrates the clear evolution our Quintet has undertaken over the past decade through subtle refinements.
Winefront Review by Gary Walsh
Posted on 5 September 2024
'48% Cabernet sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 16% Cabernet franc, 3% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot. Here we go.
Cherry and chocolate, blueberries, violets, tobacco, pencils, baking spice, a light mint perfume. It’s medium-bodied, so fine and ‘minerally’, with succulent graphite tannin, cool fresh acidity to balance, quite some mouth-perfume, and kind of ferrous too, and the length is superb, finishing bright and steely, redcurrant and cranberry carries in the aftertaste. Superb. Such energy and class. There’s something about (Mount) Mary.'
97 Points
Halliday Wine Companion 2025
Cabernet & Blends of the Year
Mount Mary Quintet 2022, Yarra Valley, VIC (98 points)
2022 Pinot Noir
Our Pinot Noir
Our Pinot noir vines were sourced from Western Victoria in 1971. This material was acquired before individual| clonal selections were considered, and a s such, our older Pinot blocks are a mix of many clones. A visiting French ampelographer (vine expert) once told John Middleton (Founder) that there were in the order of 30+ clones in our original Pinot block. Subsequent plantings of Pinot on this site have been selections from the original block, and the clonal selection has been somewhat refined. There are also some newer blocks of Pinot noir planted (as of 2008) to American rootstocks and are of specific clonal material, namely MV6, 777, 667, 115 and Pommard. In the winery the emphasis is on simplicity. Our Pinot noir ferments are conducted using 100% whole berries and are left on skins for around 10-14 days. This is followed by 16 months of barrel maturation consisting of 25% new oak barriques. Minimal (if any) fining and filtration is carried out prior to bottling.
Pinot Noir Production
Average yield: 30-35HL/Ha (2T/acre)
Fruit processing: Destemmed. 100% whole berries
Primary Fermentation: 2 tonne open top fermenters. Plunging 3 times/day. 10-14 days on skins
Malolactic fermentation: Conducted in barrel
Yeast: Various
Ageing: 16 months in 225L barriques. 25% new, 25% second fill and the balance in 3-6 year old barrels
Irrigation: Nil
2022 Vintage Report
The 2022 crop was drastically reduced by very poor weather in November 2021, affecting the extremely critical flowering/fruit set period of the growing season. Pinot and Chardonnay were hit the hardest, where we saw some of the lowest crops per acre we have experienced. The weather that followed flowering however was nothing short of idyllic ripening conditions. Warm and dry weather through Jan, Feb and March leading to a long Indian summer. This warmer weather combined with extremely low crops has produced wines with great fruit power, structure and intensity.
2022 Pinot Noir Technical Notes
Harvest dates: 23/02/2022 - 09/03/2022
Bottling date: 12/06/2023
Alc: 13.5%
2022 Pinot noir Release Tasting Note (October 2024)
The diabolically low crops of 2022 and the warmer weather have led to this concentrated and intensely flavoured Pinot noir. The aromatics of this wine leap from the glass...bright, vibrant, pure fruits. Cherries, ripe stewed strawberries, quince and rhubarb are all easily detected on the nose. There is oak spice and a faint touch of roasted coffee thanks to the 18 months barrel maturation, comprising 25% new French oak. The palate again is concentrated, intense and pure. Flavours of cranberry, raspberry, quince (a real hallmark of Mount Mary Pinot), liquorice and spice. Something we love to see in our Pinots is tannin. We work extremely hard in the vineyard to ensure our Pinot noir fruit contains adequate tannins in the skins. Additionally, our winemaking practices encourage tannin extraction, as we see this as such a crucial component in high quality Pinot noir. The vintage shows this so beautifully and gives the wine structure, focus and length.
Winefront Review by Gary Walsh
Posted on 5 September 2024
'“The diabolically low crops of 2022 and the warmer weather have led to this concentrated and intensely flavoured Pinot noir yet still embodies all the hallmarks of this exceptional grape when grown in our vineyards here at Mount Mary.”, says, I think, Sam Middleton of this wine. Mount Mary Pinot is a different expression to many from the Yarra Valley, not least in a warmer vintage, but gee, it has some character and personality.
Cherry, ripe strawberry, rhubarb, mocha, almost a liquorice richness here, mint too, baking spices and cedar. It’s a plush and deep expression of Pinot Noir with firm grainy tannin, fresh raspberry acidity, and a hazelnut finish of excellent length, with some blood orange tang to close. Plenty of oomph and impact. It’ll do well in the cellar and develop more perfume and finesse. Excellent.'
95 Points
2022 Chardonnay
Our Chardonnay
We aim to make a Chardonnay with great length, which reaches a balance between richness a n d 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. 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.
Chardonnay Production
Average yield: 35-40HL/Ha (2.5T/acre)
Fruit processing: Destemmed/Crushed
Primary Fermentation: Barell fermented
Malolactic fermentation: No
Yeast: Various
Batonnage: Yes
Ageing: 11 months in 225L barriques. 30% new, 20% second fill, balance 3-8 years old
Irrigation: Nil
Clones: Bernard 76 and 277, 110V1, Mendoza, P58
2022 Vintage Report
The 2022 crop was drastically reduced by very poor weather in November 2021, affecting the extremely critical flowering/ fruit set period of the growing season. Pinot and Chardonnay were hit the hardest, where we saw some of the lowest crops per acre we have experienced. The weather that followed flowering however was nothing short of idylic ripening conditions. Warm and dry weather through Jan, Feb and March leading to a long Indian summer. This warmer weather combined with extremely low crops has produced wines with great fruit power, structure and intensity.
2022 Chardonnay Technical Notes
Harvest dates: 25/02/2022 - 05/03/2022
Bottling date: 23/01/2023
Alc: 13.5%
2022 Chardonnay Release Tasting Note (October 2024)
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.
Winefront Review by Gary Walsh
Posted on 5 September 2024
'Quintet is the main game for me when it comes to Mount Mary, and I’d offer that it’s probably my favourite Cabernet based wine in the country, and yes, I know I’m reviewing the Chardonnay, I just thought I’d like to mention it again.
A whiff of smoke and struck match, peach, green melon, grapefruit, some lime zest, cashew and cinnamon, chamomile perfume too. It’s a fleshy wine, delivering plenty of Chardonnay flavour, fine chalk powder texture, preserved lemon, some nutty savoury oak flavours, with a bright citrus drizzled finish of excellent length and power.'
95 Points
2022 Triolet
Our Triolet
The Triolet blend, first produced at Mount Mary in 1987, was inspired by the white wines of Graves, Bordeaux. This wine is considered quite unique by Australian standards and has developed a reputation for ageing remarkably well. The vineyard is planted to 65% Sauvignon Blanc, 25 % Semillon and 10% Muscadelle. Each variety is picked at optimum ripeness, and is fermented separately. The Sauvignon blanc brings the mid palate flavour and richness, the Semillon, freshness and focus from razor sharp acidity, while the Muscadelle gives the floral and aromatic top notes. In the winery we use mostly older barrels for this wine, with the entire production being barrel fermented. Relatively hard pressing is employed to give the wine texture and lees stirring is carried out to add complexity and body. The Triolet is typically barrel aged for 11 months by which time the overt fruity flavours have diminished, and complex aromas are beginning to develop.
Triolet Production
Average yield: 35-40HL/Ha (2.5T/acre)
Fruit processing: Destemmed/Crushed
Primary Fermentation: Barrel fermented
Malolactic fermentation: No
Yeast: Various
Batonnage: Yes
Ageing: 11 months in 25L barriques. Barrels ranging from 2-8 years old
Irrigation: Nil
2022 Vintage Report
The 202 crop was drastically reduced by very poor weather in November 2021, affecting the extremely critical flowering/ fruit set period of the growing season. Pinot and Chardonnay were hit the hardest, where we saw some of the lowest crops per acre we have experienced. The weather that followed flowering however was nothing short of idyllic ripening conditions. Warm and dry weather through Jan, Feb and March leading to a long Indian summer. This warmer weather combined with extremely low crops has produced wines with great fruit power, structure and intensity.
2022 Triolet Technical Notes
Harvest dates: 28/02/2022 - 18/03/2022
Bottling date: 30/01/2023
Alc: 13.5%
2022 Triolet Release Tasting Note (October 2024)
This year's Triolet opens with its customary seashell, brine, oyster shell nuisances that have become a hallmark of this blend for a number of years now. With very little time at al in the glass, this wine leaps out with an array of aromatic complexity. Initially there are citrus notes, lemon and grapefruit, but then riper characters, more suggestive of melon, pear and dried apricot quickly become the dominant players. The palate is rich, concentrated and textured. There are flavours of lychee, ripe pear, apricot and blackcurrant leaf. The palate is defined by persistent acid, chalky phenolics and a long, persistent finish. John would often quip, 'the best Triolet vintages are often the riper ones' and this wine is certainly testament to that.
Winefront Review by Gary Walsh
Posted on 5 September 2024
'66% Sauvignon blanc, 24% Semillon, 10% Muscadelle.
This is a riper expression of Triolet, and has quite some weight and gloss, though it has a core of bright zesty acidity through it to balance. Some brine, grapefruit and lemon zest, pear and guava, a little honey and ginger perfume, along with dried herbs and mint/fennel. It’s creamy and viscous, has some chalkiness and grip to texture, a quinine bite, and grapefruity acidity on a finish of excellent length. It’s complex and engaging, and of course, these wine almost demand time in the cellar to show their best, though perhaps this release may not be one for the ages.'
95 Points
(Image: Mount Mary Vineyard / @ Mount Mary Instagram)