2021 Mount Mary Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley

100% destemmed and fermented with as many whole berries as possible. Left to soak for four days, pre-fermentation with one pump over per day, then plunged three times per day. 15 months in French barriques (25% new). A bright crimson red. Perfumed and seductive even at this early stage. Aromas of wild red berries, gentle spice, dark rose and bracken. Concentrated and structured with very fine, sinewy and savoury tannins. A brilliant, non-mainstream Yarra Valley pinot that's been built to go the distance.

97 points Philip Rich winecompanion.com.au

The 2021 Mount Mary Pinot Noir from the Yarra Valley is a masterclass in elegance, nuance, and site expression. Mount Mary has long been one of Australia’s most revered producers, founded in 1971 by Dr John Middleton and today steered by his grandson, Sam Middleton. The estate’s philosophy centres on restraint, longevity, and purity of fruit, with the Pinot Noir being one of the most anticipated releases each year.

Grown on Mount Mary’s original vineyard in the heart of the Yarra Valley, this Pinot is a true reflection of the region’s cool climate and gravelly, well-drained soils. The 2021 vintage, marked by mild weather and a long ripening season, yielded fruit of pristine quality and balance.

In the glass, it’s all understated finesse—wild strawberries, sour cherry and redcurrant meet savoury spice, rose petal, forest floor and the faintest hint of cured meat. There’s a touch of whole bunch complexity, and beautifully integrated oak adds just the right amount of structure without obscuring the fruit. The texture is silky, the acid line is bright and linear, and the finish is persistent and mouthwatering.

This is a Pinot that walks the line between delicacy and quiet power. It’s drinking beautifully now with duck breast, roast quail or mushroom risotto, but has the bones to cellar for 10 to 15 years with grace and growing complexity.