How does someone who despises Shiraz become one of Australia's top red winemakers? It sounds impossible, right? But that's the intriguing story of Dr. John Middleton, a man with a vision like no other.
Mount Mary, his pride and joy, is a vineyard crafted with passion and precision. Over the years, it’s become a pillar of Australian wine, loved by collectors and critics alike.
Ready to dive into the tale of this remarkable vineyard and the legacy of its legendary creator?
The history of Mount Mary
Mount Mary’s story began half a century ago, when a medical professional named Dr. John Middleton developed an obsession – to produce Australia’s first premium Cabernet.
Dr. John and his wife, Marli, travelled the world’s finest wine regions, falling in love with Bordeaux and Burgundy. Recognising the similarities of Melbourne’s cool climate, Dr. Middleton snapped up the Mount Mary estate in 1971 and planted 25 acres of high-quality vines.
While Burgundy and Bordeaux have different climates, they share consistent rainfall, moderate temperatures and even a sprinkling of spring frost – things you’d expect to find in the Yarra Valley.
Using this knowledge, the Middleton family began producing top-shelf reds built with care and a dedication to detail.
And the rest is, as we say, history.
Caption: The sprawling hills of the Yarra Valley provide a stunning backdrop for the Mount Mary winery. Source: Mount Mary
Mount Mary wines
Mount Mary is internationally recognised for its two superstar reds: Quintet and Pinot Noir. A splurge for special occasions, these wines are compelling as long-term investments.
Quintet
Mount Mary's flagship red blend, crafted in the classic Bordeaux style, embodies the winery's commitment to quality and sophistication. It is a popular choice among investors due to its limited production, prestigious status and the exceptional ageing of Bordeaux-style blends.
Pinot Noir
Just as the Quintet embodies the essence of Bordeaux, the Pinot Noir captures the heart of Burgundy. It is one of Mount Mary’s only varietal reds, standing apart for its elegance and purity.
Chardonnay
Mount Mary produces one of Australia’s most sought-after Chardonnays by taking another leaf out of the Burgundy textbook. The Middleton’s even use French Oak barrels, balancing the Yarra Valley’s delicate acidity with the iconic Burgundian flavours of citrus and cinnamon.
Reflexion
In the wake of the devastating 2009 bushfires, Mount Mary faced a daunting challenge. Yet, hope sparked from the ashes. Young vines, miraculously spared, yielded a limited harvest.
And so, the Réflexion label was born, offering a taste of hope among nature’s violence.
Key vintages
Mount Mary has been producing top-shelf Quintets for decades, with some of its famed vintages stretching back to the 1990s.
In more recent times, the 2015 (97 points from James Halliday) and 2021 (98 points from James Suckling) Quintet harvests have been highly regarded by critics and investors alike.
However, the creme de la creme of Mount Mary Quintets came in 2019. This vintage secured a 100-point rating from James Suckling and a score of 98 from the prestigious James Halliday Wine Companion.
Gary Walsh from the Wine Front summed up the 2019 Quintet in one word: “Excellent.”
Top vintages for Mount Mary’s Pinot Noir came in 2005, 2012, 2017 and 2019, while their Chardonnay excelled in 2012, 2017 and 2020.
Why collectors love Mount Mary
Mount Mary ticks off investors’ boxes like a seasoned sommelier assessing a fine wine.
The producer’s blue-chip wines, particularly the Quintet, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, have developed a cult following among collectors – and for good reason.
First, Mount Mary’s production runs are small. Limited to just 3,000 cases per vintage, there’s an inherent scarcity for every single bottle.
Mount Mary’s wines are also entirely estate-grown, ensuring they have complete control over fruit quality and a direct connection to the stunning Yarra Valley landscape.
Both Mount Mary’s Quintet and Pinot Noir have received 1st Classification status by Langton’s, Australia’s top wine ranking system. Only 20 other Australian vintages have achieved this level of recognition.
Meanwhile, Mount Mary’s Chardonnay are ranked by Langton’s in the second tier of excellence – making them among the top 100 Aussie wines.
The top-rated Quintet from 2019 consistently sells for over A$220, despite only being on the shelves for a few years. In fact, it was less than a year ago that you could snag a 2019 Quintet for under A$200 – demonstrating excellent growth despite a slow wine market.
Caption: Over the past 12 months, the average sale price of the 2019 Quintet has grown by 12%. Source: WineSearcher
Scarcity hasn’t fully set in for the 2019 Quintet yet, but a quick Google Search already shows several major stockists are already sold out of the vintage.
We already know that Mount Mary produces limited supply runs – so it won’t be long before demand for the 2019 vintage starts getting really hot.
Then, add in the fact that Dr. John Middleton loved to harvest his grapes early to reduce the alcohol content.
This can lead to higher acidity levels, which helps preserve the wine’s structure while maintaining lower alcohol levels over time.
Summary
Mount Mary isn't just another vineyard; it's a blue-chip powerhouse in Australia's wine scene, offering some of the finest reds from the Yarra Valley.
For nearly five decades, Dr. Middleton's unwavering dream has been to produce top-tier wines, and that's one thing that will never change.
The Quintet is an investor's fantasy, raking in critic scores of 95+ and boasting decades of ageing potential.
And for everyday collectors and wine lovers, Mount Mary's Chardonnay and Reflexion provide top-shelf quality without breaking the bank.
It’s very unlikely, but if you aren’t a fan of a Mount Mary wine, be careful – you might get your review displayed on their next barrel.
