2020 Garagiste Le Stagiaire Pinot Gris, Mornington Peninsula

Made in a pure-fruited, medium-bodied style that takes its inspiration from Burgundy rather than northern Italy or Alsace, this finely weighted Gris is drawn from a north/northeast-facing site in Merricks. The fruit was hand-sorted in the vineyard and winery, then whole-bunch pressed into old barriques to ferment using indigenous yeasts. This year Flanders used 10% carbonic Pinot Gris to add texture, perfume and a nip of tannin. The wine only went through partial malolactic (to preserve freshness) and was matured on solids in old neutral barrel for six months. It’s a deliciously exuberant wine with zippy and ripe lemon, straw and solidsy aromas and flavours. A clean, dry and spicy close. Loads of interest here.