The 2023 Halliday Wine Companion Awards have been announced, and Yarra Valley vineyard, Mount Mary, has been honoured with a win.
The Middleton family owned and operated vineyard’s 2020 Quintet has been recognised as the ‘Red Wine of the Year’.
CEO David Middleton, son of the late founders John and Marli Middleton, said the team works hard to produce wines that bring happiness and joy to those who seek them out.
“Through dedication to quality, integrity and process we aim to continue to make wine of elegance and longevity. To this end we invest in our human and physical resources to ensure this happens,” Mr Middleton said.
2023 Halliday Wine Companion taster Philip Rich said the drop proved its elegance during a cool year, which saw poor flowering cutting the Quintet varieties crop in half.
“A medium, bright and translucent ruby red, this is beautifully perfumed with aromas of just-ripened blackcurrants, red cherries, rose petals and gentle cedar notes from the oak. The palate is exceptionally pure fruited and gently textured,” Mr Rich said.
Mr Middleton thanked Mount Mary’s loyal clients who remain their primary focus when producing wine.
“We listen to them, we encourage them to provide feedback and we derive determination and confidence from their support,” Mr Middleton said.
“One of the most pleasing aspects of our record of consistency is when our clients share their experiences of older wines that were purchased to mark family milestones. Their have been many birth year vintages enjoyed at twenty-first birthdays, engagements and weddings.”
Mr Rich also expects the 2020 Quintet will be one to cherish while drinking now and in the future.
“The wine finishes with these incredibly silky, long tannins that are in perfect harmony with the fruit and acid. This majestic wine is gorgeous to drink even now but those that still have some in their cellar in 10–15 years (if not longer) will be grateful,” he said.
