2023 Garagiste Le Stagiaire Pinot Noir

Winemaker Barney Flanders continues to fashion gorgeously seductive Pinot Noir from sub regional Mornington Peninsula sites. The fruit for this year’s blend is drawn from Merricks, Balnarring and Red Hill. The Merricks site, Barney’s flagship, contributes bright fruit characters and a signature savoury quality. The Balnarring site, which Barney has farmed for 12 years, adds shape and spice while the more southerly, cool and high-elevation site in Red Hill contributes linearity. A 15% whole bunch component was included in the fermentations with maturation taking place in 300 litre hogsheads and foudre (5% new) for a period of 7 months.
Semi translucent vibrant red to dark red colour with a light red hue. Fragrant scents of violet, red to dark cherry, strawberry and clove sail out of the glass with some forest floor and spicy cedar notes also evident. Delicious red cherry, strawberry and rhubarb fruits are underpinned by vibrant acidity with some clove, forest floor and spice elements lingering through the back half. Fine grained tannins finishing energetic and juicy yet elegant.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.5%