Mount Mary Triolet 2018

The Mount Mary Vineyard estate wines are premium handcrafted wines produced in limited quantities. They are the result of the season and the vineyard in which they were grown. Each wine captures a sense of time and place. The four Mount Mary Vineyard estate wines are comprised of two blends traditionally grown and made in Bordeaux, France (Quintet and Triolet) and two varieties traditionally grown and made in Burgundy, France (Pinot noir and Chardonnay). These wines reflect our region, vineyard and the season in which they were grown. We believe that each of our estate wines have exceptional ageing and cellaring potential.

The Triolet blend, first produced at Mount Mary in 1987, was inspired by the white wines of Graves, Bordeaux. The vineyard is planted to 75% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Semillon and 5% Muscadelle. Each variety is picked at optimum ripeness, and is fermented separately. The characteristics of optimum ripeness are different for each variety. We pick the Sauvignon blanc after the strong herbaceous flavours have disappeared, the Semillon when the acid is not too harsh, and the Muscadelle when the flavour intensity peaks. In the winery we use mostly older barrels for this wine, with the entire production being barrel fermented. Relatively hard pressing is employed to give the wine texture and lees stirring is carried out to add complexity and body. The Triolet is typically barrel aged for 11 months by which time the overt fruity flavours have diminished, and complex aromas are beginning to develop.