2025 Garagiste Le Stagiaire Pinot Noir

A lively, red to purple fruited Mornington Pinot.

Matured on its lees in 300 litre hogsheads for 7 months with 5% new oak. Dark purple red core with black toned edges and a purple red hue. Fragrant violet, anise, plum and strawberry scents sail out of the glass with some fresh herb, forest floor and spice notes also evident. Rich juicy morello cherry, anise and winter strawberry fruits meld into a dried herb, forest floor and spice back drop. Slightly tangy acidity and polished tannins with a lively red to purple fruited finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13.5%

Other Reviews….
I believe this is only recently bottled, though I’m used to that. There’s something of a cru Beaujolais character to this wine, which is likely a strange thing to say, though that’s kind of how it presents. 5% new oak. 5% whole bunch.
Juicy, red fruits, spice, potpourri, roast peanuts. It’s medium-bodied, plenty of energy here, crisp cool acidity, light emery board tannin, a pop to cherry and red fruits, some cola nut and dried herb, a slight smokiness, with a spicy orange zest finish of excellent length. Very good drinking here. Likely better with a little more time in bottle. Drink 2026-2032.
93+ Points
Gary Walsh – The Wine Front

The value belies the quality as there’s always a lot of detail to this range, yet it's so approachable. This has the right combo of varietal flavours – the cherries, pips and spice, the squeeze of blood orange and zest, the touch of chinotto, too. Medium bodied, with supple tannins and refreshing acidity. A wine you want to drink on a cold day while staying toasty in front of a fire. Drink by 2035.
95 points
Jane Faulkner - James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion