2016 Mount Mary Chardonnay

Brilliant pale straw colour with a greenish tinge to the edges and a watery hue. Elevated nectarine and more subtle pear aromas intermesh with complexing elements of faint dried honey, biscuity oak, spicy cashew and subtle gun flint notes. Medium weight there’s good richness to the nectarine and spicy ripe pear fruit which is draped in dried honey. Adding sophistication and class are elements of cashew, biscuity oak, spicy nougat and subtle infusions of struck match stick. Very refined with a subtle creaminess to the mid palate and excellent acid structure, it finishes with good freshness and formidable length.
Cellar 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.5%

Other Reviews….
Clones P58, Mendoza, I10V1, 76 and 277, hand-picked, destemmed and crushed, barrel-fermented with a wide range of cultured yeasts, 11 months in French oak (27% new). Pale straw-green; very youthful in every respect; attention to detail has lead to a sophisticated wine destined for a long life.
Drink by 2031.
96 points
James Halliday – Australian Wine Companion

Annual release to mailing list is 13th October. I tasted all these 2016 wines from barrel last year with the affable Sam Middleton, who I feel, is leading this grand estate to new heights.
Gold in colour, it’s not a shy Chardonnay by half: welcome to Flavour Country. Nectarine, white flowers, fresh mint, honey and pecans, and just a pleasant amount of struck match complexity. Glossy and glycerol, sizzled butter and nuts, yet fresh and floral, flinty elements at play, grapefruity acidity, long, rich and nutty to close, yet curiously fine throughout. Love this. Real Chardonnay. I reckon it’s pretty good drinking ’round about now, too. Drink 2018-2026+
96 points
Gary Walsh – The Wine Front