Alcohol Levels Through The Decades - Mount Mary

[Con J]

One of the geeky wine things I do is track the alcohol levels in my Aussie wines, mainly reds.

Mount Mary Quintet is a wine I the most information on.

Might post a few others and edit as get more info, that’s why I love tasting notes with the alcohol level.

Hope you all find it interesting.

Cheers Con.

1980 - 1989. Low - 11.5%. High - 13.0%. Average - 12.16%.

1980 - 11.5%.
1981 - 13.0%.
1982 - 12.0%.
1983 - 12.0%.
1984 - 12.4%.
1985 - 12.0%.
1986 - 12.0%
1987 - ????.
1988 - 12.5%.
1989 - 12.0%.

1990 - 1999. Low - 12.0%. High - 13.0%. Average - 12.55%.

1990 - 12.5%.
1991 - 12.0%.
1992 - 12.5%.
1993 - 13.0%.
1994 - 13.0%.
1995 - 12.5%.
1996 - 12.5%
1997 - 12.5%.
1998 - 12.5%.
1999 - 12.5%.

2000 - 2009. Low - 12.2%. High - 13.1%. Average - 12.78%.

2000 - 12.2%.
2001 - 12.5%.
2002 - 12.5%.
2003 - 13.0%.
2004 - 13.0%.
2005 - 13.0%.
2006 - 12.9%.
2007 - 13.1%. I believe this vintage wasn’t released for sale.
2008 - 12.8%.
2009 - Not Made.

2010 - 2019. Low - 12.5%. High - 13.3%. Average - 12.95%.

2010 - 12.7%.
2011 - 12.5%.
2012 - 12.9%.
2013 - 12.9%.
2014 - 13.0%.
2015 - 13.3%.
2016 - 13.2%.
2017 - 13.0%.
2018 - 13.0%.
2019 - 13.0%.

[phillisc]

Yes Con, I agree. '82 or 84 BL 11.6%
Cheers Craig

[Ian S]

Yes, something I find interesting, and it's certainly a thread to point people to, who say 'all Aussie wines are alcoholic gloop'

[mychurch]

Very interesting Con. I have read reviews before that the Yarra was getting warmer and I suppose this is to be expected. Wonder how the 80 and 81 compare to each other.

[I Love Shiraz]

Good information Con.

No great surprise, it is unfortunately climate change.I know Bordeaux alcohol levels have been climbing over the last two decades.

[Con J]

I think the interesting thing here is that the high level was pretty consistent but the low level made the average get higher.
So are they making a more consistent wine now or a wine without the vintage variations that used to be greater.

There’s a couple of wineries in the Yarra like Yeringberg and Wantirna Estate where the alcohol levels rose in 2000’s then they pegged it back in the 2010’S.

Cheers Con.

[JamieAdelaide]

A number of early 2000 Aussie wines I’ve had recently are utterly amateurish and out of balance. All that waffle at the time about the wines being in balance! Age is a truth-teller. Quite peeved a Langi Gibran who once made some of our most presentable Shiraz when aged. 15% + and screw cap makes for horrid drinking.

[Con J]

I think I agree with you Jamie. I’ve drank a bit of Aussie reds with about 15 to 20 years on them and most under screw cap.
Usually I’m glad I don’t have any in the cellar. For me the wine from the 80’ and 90’s had personality, I struggle to pick where these younger wines are from, a lot of the time I even struggle picking grape varieties.

I used to be on the fence about screw caps, now I don’t think I like them on the bigger wines.
On Pinot and Chardonnay I love them.

Cheers Con.