Garagiste Le Stagiaire Chardonnay 2021

Garagiste Le Stagiaire Chardonnay is a Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay blended from three vineyards.

The name on the label translates roughly as the intern, and the range was set up as the more affordable end of Barney Flanders's output without changing how the wines are made. The 2021 blend runs Balnarring at forty per cent, Tuerong at thirty-seven and Merricks at twenty-three, each contributing something different across the Peninsula's soils. Fruit was sorted twice, in the vineyard and again at the winery, then whole-bunch pressed straight into 500-litre puncheons. Fermentation ran on wild yeast with nothing controlling the temperature, followed by eight months on gross lees. Big barrels, wild yeast and long lees contact are what give the wine its texture.

Generous, pulpy stone fruit on the nose, then a mouth-watering citrus hit, flinty mineral layers, a touch of reduction and a wisp of dried herb, all on fresh acidity. Serve at 11 to 12 degrees. Roast chicken, grilled flathead, or a pea and ricotta tart.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.