95 Points - Jane Faulkner
Garagiste is one of Australia's brightest cool-climate producers, created by Barnaby Flanders back in 2006. Crafting an impressive range of small-batch Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Garagiste has a focus on expressing the single-sites and sub-regions of the Peninsula.
The 2024 Garagiste Le Stagiaire Chardonnay is made up of grapes grown on premium Mornington Peninsula sites; Balnarring (65%), Merricks North (19%) and Tuerong (16%). The result is a vibrant, fresh release packed with citrus, flowers and stone fruits. Balanced by round texture and snappy acidity, there’s linear drive and a savoury, slightly salty close. Another impressive release that offers a level of value-for-money rarely found on the Mornington Peninsula.
"95 Points. Year in, year out, this never waivers from offering great value for the quality in the glass. Another excellent chardonnay vintage on the Peninsula with plenty of natural, invigorating acidity, which drives this. In the mix: white nectarine, lemon juice, zest and pith with some yellow grapefruit, too. It’s a little spicy, really juicy, with texture on the finer scale. Nothing else to do but chill this down, not too much, and drink with friends. $35. 13% alc. Drink: 2025 - 2031. Screwcap"- Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion.
