2019 Mount Mary Marli Russell RP2

95 points - Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion
The combination of 55/20/20/5% grenache/shiraz/mourvèdre/cinsault in this warmer vintage has brought out the best of each to make a harmonious, singularly focused wine. While there's a plushness to the fruit, and even an intensity of flavour, it's rather restrained, with a medium-bodied palate at best. A flutter of exotic spices, fine, grainy tannins and a succulence throughout make this a delicious wine.

95 Points - Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
55% Grenache, 20% Shiraz, 20% Mourvedre, 5% Cinsault. The world turns.

Strawberry, watermelon, roses, spice, musk sticks and mint. Silky, cherries with a floral mouth-perfume, biscuits and jamon, fresh and cool feeling wine, emery board tannin, pomegranate and baking spice on a long and svelte finish. So fine and graceful. Distinctive and different. It’s a beautiful wine. Effortless, seemingly.

From the Producer:

This wine is matured in larger format oak barrels to preserve freshness, fruit vibrancy and energy. In 2015 the Mourvedre was added followed by the Cinsault in 2016 which has added an interesting dimension to an improved, more complex blend. It is a slightly more fruit forward, earlier drinking style than other Mount Mary red wines, with the depth and palate weight sitting somewhere between the Quintet and Pinot noir.

It was always the intent for this blend to be Grenache dominant (at least 50%) and now having worked with these varieties in the vineyard for 10 years we are convinced more than ever that this is such an important aspect. We truly love the way Grenache grows on our site and it is this variety we hope dictates the wine’s style. A wine of elegance, with beautiful mid palate fruit sweetness combined with savoury attributes and fine grain tannin.