2021 Garagiste Balnarring Pinot Noir, Mornington Peninsula

Another welcome return after a brief hiatus in 2020, the 2021 Balnarring was wild-fermented with a high portion of whole berries. Unlike the Merricks Pinot there is no whole-bunch influence here—Flanders explains that from this vineyard, the stems can easily dominate the fruit. The wine was matured in 300-litre hogsheads (roughly 25% new) and spent 10 months on lees before it was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
 
As is the norm, there is a prettiness to this, as distinct from the Merricks which is darker and more savoury. The '21 is textbook Balnarring Pinot yet also offers immediate drinking pleasure. Everything about this release is amplified—invigorating acidity, soft but plentiful tannins and a rich profusion of crunchy red fruits. It’s lean and sinewy, but this is counterbalanced by fleshy/pulpy fruit and a whisper of minerality on the lengthy finish. This will reward for years to come—if drinking now just give it a decant.