Mount Mary Quintet 2008

Mount Mary is a family owned, single vineyard estate located in the heart of the Yarra Valley. The region is in the south-eastern corner of Australia, east of Melbourne in the state of Victoria. Established in 1971 by John and Marli Middleton, Mount Mary was one of the first vineyards planted in the resurgence of the Yarra Valley as a premium wine producing region. The inspiration behind the planting of vines in the Yarra Valley came from the Swiss settlers of the 1850’s. These worldly and hard working immigrants had been greatly influenced by the French wine producers and recognised the climatic parallels the Yarra Valley shared with Bordeaux and Burgundy.

In the 1960’s John and Marli Middleton, driven by a passion for fine wine, made many visits to Bordeaux and Burgundy. They became hooked on French premium wines and the thought of producing something similar in Australia. They found a suitable site upon in 1971 and purchased the property known as Mount Mary. Surprisingly, this site had not yet been planted despite being ideal for purpose. The first plantings were completed in 1972 and today Mount Mary has 40 acres under vine representing 18 varieties.

The four Mount Mary Vineyard estate wines are comprised of two blends traditionally grown and made in Bordeaux, France (Quintet and Triolet) and two varieties traditionally grown and made in Burgundy, France (Pinot noir and Chardonnay).

The vineyard is planted to Cabernet sauvignon (46%), Merlot (26%), Cabernet franc (18%), 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. The greatest influence we have over the quality of this wine is deciding when to pick each variety, this determines not only the flavours but the quality of tannins, and the acid and alcohol levels. The fermentation regime is similar to that of the Pinot, although slightly longer fermentations are employed (up to 10 days). This is followed by 22 months on barrel maturation, with 25% of the blend in large format oak (1500L or larger), and 30% in new barriques (225L).

Superbly refined, elegant and intense Cabernets and usually outstanding and long-lived Pinot Noirs fully justify Mount Mary's exalted reputation. The Triolet blend is very good, more recent vintages of Chardonnay likewise.(The Quintet was) First made in 1977; one of few wines in Australia to include in its makeup the five classic grape varieties of Bordeaux: cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, malbec and petit verdot. This wine is Mount Mary¹s finest; at its best the ultimate expression of the style, at its least showing that the climate of the Yarra Valley can treat the later-ripening varieties with harshness. - James Halliday

Artfully made, pliant and silky, this long and finely textured red has a deep, alluring perfume of violets, cassis, sweet red red berries and blackberries knit with fresh, tight-grained dusty oak and backed by suggestions of briar and dark chocolate. It's slightly confiture-like, with a hint of currant, sour cherry and dried herbs beneath its elegant, finely crafted palate of vibrant dark plum and small berry flavour. Very good indeed. - Jeremy Oliver, 93 Points. 

The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec 
Country - Australia
Region - Yarra Valley, Victoria
Vintage - 2008
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 12.8%