Mount Mary Pinot Noir 2020

Set in the heart of the Yarra Valley, Mount Mary is one of the iconic producers. Following numerous visits to Bordeaux and Burgundy in the 1960s, Dr John Middleton, a Melbourne-based anaesthetist, and his wife Marli developed a passion for fine French wines, particularly those from Bordeaux and Burgundy. Inspired by the quality and elegance of these wines, they aspired to create something similar in Australia. Their search for a suitable vineyard site led them to a gentle north-facing slope in the Yarra Valley, a region with a winemaking history dating back to the 1830s but which had seen a decline and halt in viticulture by the mid-20th century. Recognising the potential of this site, the Middletons established Mount Mary in 1971. Wasting no time, the first vines were planted by mid-1972 on a perfectly situated, gentle north-facing slope. During this period, a friend of John Middleton, Colin Preece (Senior Winemaker at Seppelts Great Western), remarked that Australia had yet to produce a refined and elegant Cabernet. The Middleton family has since proven him wrong, with Mount Mary Quintet becoming a benchmark for Australian Cabernet, showcasing remarkable finesse and elegance.Mount Mary spans approximately 40 acres, with 18 hectares under vine, cultivating a variety of grapes including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Muscadelle. The winery's philosophy centres on producing wines of finesse and purity, with a focus on low alcohol levels and minimal intervention to allow the vineyard's characteristics to shine through. This approach reflects Dr Middleton's belief in the importance of site selection and meticulous vineyard management in crafting exceptional wines.Mount Mary's wines have consistently received high praise from critics and cult from from wine collectors. The Quintet, in particular, has been awarded Best Cabernet Blend by the Wine Companion in 2024 and Best Red Wine of the Year in 2021. The team at The World of Wine have been enjoying the great wines from Mount Mary for over two decades.