Le Stagiaire Chardonnay 2022

Garagiste - Mornington Peninsula, Australia.

This year's blend is drawn from Balnarring, Tuerong, Merricks and Red Hill. The fruit was sorted in both the vineyard and winery and whole-bunch pressed directly to 500-litre puncheons. Fermentations were natural, with no temperature control, and were followed by an eight-month élevage on gross lees to slowly build richness. Barney doesn’t chase malo in his Chardonnay, he doesn’t test for it and his winery doesn’t have a strong malo bug presence. Plus, in 2022 the acidities were ‘spot on’ so there was no need round out the edges. So, there’s a small bit of malo at work here, but just a smidge.  

This bottle certainly excels in crafting Chardonnay. The latest offering is vibrant, lively, and exquisite, boasting deeply concentrated scents of citrus and flowers, complemented by hints of fennel and stony minerals. Similar to their Pinot Noir, this Chardonnay impresses with a fantastic surge of acidity that cuts through its luscious, sleek texture with remarkable vitality, leading to a grand finale filled with citrus-driven dynamism. If you think this description is too good to be true for a wine in this price range, think again. It's an absolute stunner.

750ml

ABV 13%