2021 Garagiste Le Stagiaire Pinot Gris

WINEMAKER: Barnaby Flanders
REGION: Mornington Peninsula, VIC
VARIETAL: Pinot Gris
VITICULTURE: Organic/Sustainable

Made in a pure-fruited, medium-bodied style that takes its inspiration from Burgundy rather than northern Italy or Alsace, this finely weighted Gris is drawn from a north/northeast-facing site in Merricks. The fruit was hand-sorted in the vineyard and winery, then whole-bunch pressed into old barriques for a wild ferment, which included a 10% whole-bunch component for three weeks). Maturation was on solids in old neutral barrel for seven months. It's a deliciously exuberant wine with zippy and ripe lemon, straw and solidsy aromas and flavours. A clean, dry and spicy close. Loads of interest here.

Barnaby Flanders is a champion of the Mornington Peninsula. Small batches, minimal intervention, wild barrel ferments and a strong focus on expression of terroir, letting the grapes speak of place.