Garagiste Le Stagiaire Chardonnay 2023

Garagiste Le Stagiaire Chardonnay is a Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay from a cooler vintage.

Merricks North carries this blend at forty-five per cent, with Balnarring at thirty-five and Tuerong at twenty. Fruit was sorted in the vineyard and again at the winery before being pressed as whole bunches directly into 500-litre puncheons, where indigenous yeast took over with no temperature control. Seven months on gross lees built richness slowly, a couple of barrels went through malolactic, and the new oak component sits at fifteen per cent, well integrated. A cooler season gave a touch more freshness than the year before, with the balance between fruit weight and structure holding firm.

Citrus, white flowers and stone fruit, wrapped in a round texture with snappy acidity and a savoury, salty close. Drink it at 11 degrees. It suits scallops, roast chicken, a bowl of pasta with lemon and parmesan, or a soft young cheese.

*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.