MT Wines is the brand of winemaker Marco Tovazzi and his wife Portia. Marco originally hails from Trento in the north-eastern Italian region of Trentino-Alto Adige. The name nods both to his own initials and to Monte Bondone, the imposing mountain which shadows his birthplace. It was there that Marco first gained experience as a winemaker, as well as in the Tuscan region of Chianti, before moving to New Zealand. Vintages soon followed in Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, Hunter Valley and the Granite Belt, before joining Hoddles Creek Estate in 2015. MT Wines was created in 2017, giving Marco and Portia a chance to make wines ‘that are [a] true reflection of the sites on which the grapes are grown.’
MT Wines Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2019- $24 – 8/10
Grapes for this wine came from the Lone Star Creek vineyard in Woori Yallock, a source of quality fruit for many a winemaker. After crushing, destemming and pressing, fermentation took place in tank, before the chardonnay was aged on lees for ten months in neutral French oak. I was a big fan of this wine as soon as I opened the bottle; the aromas flooded the room and leapt from the glass. There’s lemon, peach, hay, almond, creaminess, toastiness and bright fruit and vibrant acidity that draws you in immediately. Whether it’s drunk with food or by itself, it doesn’t matter, as every mouthful is delicious and the wine doesn’t need anything to show its best.
MT Wines Heathcote Shiraz 2019 – $28 – 8.5/10
Fruit for the shiraz was sourced from the Camelback vineyard in Heathcote. After picking, the fruit was fermented on skins for two weeks, after which it was matured in old French oak for ten months. Unlike the chardonnay, the shiraz took some time to reveal itself. While the abundant and ripe black and red fruits (particularly blackberry and mulberry) were there from the start, along with some spiciness, aniseed, mint and smokiness, I didn’t love the shiraz from the first sip, like I did with the chardonnay. However, after a few hours in the glass and then another hour or so of sipping, every element came together and I was floored by the result. The rough edges dissipated, leaving a silky texture, vivid fruit and moreish flavours, culminating in an excellent wine from a supremely talented winemaker.
