Mornington winemakers Garagiste have a secret weapon: their selection of exceptional single vineyards. The Garagiste Merricks Chardonnay comes from Merricks, a South-facing vineyard at 80 metres elevation. This is the most highly prized of Barnaby Flanders and Cam Marshall’s white wines, showcasing the vigour and intensity that only a meticulously nurtured single vineyard can create.
Intensity is the name of the game here. Handpicked and sorted fruit is whole bunch pressed, with partial malolactic fermentation and then ten months lees ageing. All the key players are there: struck match, pencil shavings, a lick of juicy white peach, zingy lime, and green apple. It sits more on the savoury side of the spectrum. It’s bright and fresh, with creamy texture for days.
Matchsticks, funk and pencil shavings, peach, citrus, cashews, and spiced apple. A little more sunshine in this vintage, peach and pie apple, oatmeal, but with a grapefruit/lime intensity, and some more savoury lactic flavours in the mix. Wild, yet sophisticated. “You’ll find I’m well worth the wait. Like a mild cheddar, I get tangy when I’m sitting on a shelf.”
94 points, The Wine Front (December 2019)
This tier, tucked in between the most intense and arguably the most joyous of cuvees, boasts a concentrated and unadulterated stream of stone fruit scents. There is little emaciated in the name of minerality; nor is there anything overwrought. The overall impression is a melody of peach and nectarine, a leesy creamed cashew note at the core and a gentle oak bridge between the palate and the mind.
93 points, Wine Companion (March 2020)
The Mornington Peninsula is located approximately one hour south of Melbourne. A cool maritime climate,the region is virtually frost free, but is susceptible to high winds. Rainfall is moderate, throughout winter and the growing season. Most of the vineyards are located between just above sea level and 200 metres. Soils range from weathered volcanic soils to sandy loams and friable well-drained clays. Mornington Peninsula is best known for making elegant cool climate Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and sublime Pinot Noir.
