Marli Russell 'Rp2'

50% Grenache, 20% each of Shiraz and MourvÔøΩdre, 10% Cinsault, each variety vinified separately. Bunch-sorted on vibrating tables, then berry-sorted by Oscillys machine, 10-14 days on skins, matured for 14-18 months in French oak (10% new). Pure class, pure Mount Mary, long and silky. 97 points. James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion 2021

The 2018 vintage marked 10 years since the vines for Mount Mary's"Rh‚Ñ¢ne Project" - whence RP1 and 2 get their name - went into the hallowed turf of this Yarra Valley icon.
It was a relatively warm and dry vintage that provided the perfect endorsement of the Middleton family's decision to embark on this endeavour in the first place. The seven Rh‚Ñ¢ne varieties - Marsanne, Roussanne and Clairette for the white, Grenache, Shiraz, MourvÔøΩdre and Cinsault for the red - were selected for their ability to thrive in warmer, drier conditions.
This wine includes all four red varieties from our Marli Russell plantings: 55% Grenache, 20% Shiraz, 20% MourvÔøΩdre and 5% Cinsault. It was always the intent for this blend to be Grenache dominant (at least 50%) and now having worked with these varieties in the vineyard for 10 years we are convinced more than ever that this is such an important aspect. We truly love the way Grenache grows on our site and it is this variety we hope dictates the wine's style. A wine of elegance, with beautiful mid-palate fruit sweetness combined with savoury attributes and fine-grained tannin. It is matured in larger-format oak barrels to preserve freshness, fruit vibrancy and energy.