Producer Notes - "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 the 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. 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 concentration 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 the style, is present but perhaps not as prominent as previous vintages. Mount Mary Chardonnay has stylistically remained so consistent now for 50 years, despite the numerous Chardonnay industry fads that have come and gone. - Sam Middleton" "A bit of a richer style for Mount Mary Chardonnay in 2021. Pear, quince, some struck match and cedar spice. It has a fair amount of power, with a juicy acid line, a firm flinty texture, apple and pear, cashew and sizzled butter with sage, and a tight finish offering preserved lemon, apricot and a zesty tang. Long. Kind of intense, but very good." 95 points. Gary Walsh, The Wine Front 2023