Tasting Notes

The Mount Mary Marli Russell RP2 is a blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre with a small touch of Cinsault. made by the team at Mount Mary; one of the great small wineries of Australia. The winery was established by Dr John Middleton in 1972, now producing very small quantities of wine noted for both the character and high quality. Since the first vintage in 1976, it has established itself as one of Australia's most highly regarded producers, commanding a mythical status among wine collectors. The vineyard faces due north and captures optimum sunlight during the growing season.

The blend is 60% Grenache, 25% Shiraz, 10% Mourvedre, 5% Cinsault.

The nose shows the aromatics of all four varieties perfectly intertwined but still individually expressive in their own way. Red fruits of poached strawberry, raspberry and cherry, along with some darker nuances of stewed plum, liquorice and spice. The palate is dark and dense overlayed by the red fruits also detected on the nose added some sweeter, lighter, brighter characteristics. Tannin and acid stretch long and firmly through the core of this wine providing texture, structure and length.

Marli Middleton (nee Russell), co-founder of Mount Mary, was the inspiration behind the label in recognition of her enthusiasm for the family to continue the pursuit of new ideas. Marli was an adventurous and fun loving woman and it’s this spirit of hers that we hope shines through in these wines. In 2008, in response to changing environmental conditions and our desire to evaluate new varieties, the winery began to establish additional vineyard areas at Mount Mary. They chose seven varieties that have been traditionally grown in the Rhone Valley of France with a vision to continue exploring the potential of the iconic Mount Mary site, creating some new and exciting wines. The white blend is known as RP1 (Rhône Project 1) and the red blend is RP2. The varieties planted include three white grapes, Marsanne, Roussanne and Clairette and four red grapes, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault.