Mount Mary - Chardonnay 2022

Set in the heart of the Yarra Valley, Mount Mary is a family owned estate crafting finessed wines across 40 acres of vines. They 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 their Chardonnay does not undergo malolactic fermentation, as the local climate leaves the fruit with ideal acidity when it is picked.

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.