2021 Mount Mary Chardonnay, Yarra Valley

The 2021 Chardonnay is a special wine, one that speaks clearly of the Yarra Valley but one that also transcends local bounds and is a great wine of the world. Complex, seamless, spicy and creamy, the wine has textural complexity to match with the diverse flavor spectrum. It gets better as it ages, and I truly believe it will remain one of the great Australian Chardonnays for years to come. This is a remarkable wine, one that I enthusiastically recommend. 13.2% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

97+ points EL robertparker.com

Hand picked, 20% whole-bunch pressed, the balance crushed and destemmed. Matured in French puncheons and barriques (30% new) for 11 months. A light, bright gold with green tinges. Seductive with its bouquet of melon, fresh fig, yellow peach, chamomile and a little lemongrass. A savoury nuance, too. On the palate, which is powerful, densely packed and structured, you'll find some grapefruit pith and hazelnut. Finishes extremely long, saline and gently grippy.

96 points PR winecompanion.com.au

The winemaking team at Mount Mary aims 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 ensure 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. Chardonnay is matured in 30% new French oak barriques with the remainder in older barrels and large casks (1500L). The entire production is barrel fermented. Grape solids are included to give the wine texture, and lees stirring is conducted to add complexity and body. The Chardonnay is matured in barrel for 11 months prior to bottling.