2022 Garagiste Merricks 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 funky, nuanced Gris is drawn from a north/northeast-facing site in Merricks with 25-year-old vines. The fruit was hand-sorted in the vineyard and winery, then pressed and sent with full solids to old puncheons for a wild ferment (which included a 20% whole-bunch component) for three weeks. Maturation was on gross lees in old neutral barrels for seven months.

The 2022 is awash with white florals, orange citrus notes, an enticingly fresh juiciness and some savoury edges. Deliciously exuberant, with freshness and clean flavours and an athletic style, this lithe and balanced expression has a lovely, chalky/saline close.

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.