Balnarring Pinot makes a welcome return after a brief hiatus caused by a series of low-yielding years. The Balnarring site lies just 10 kilometres from Garagiste’s flagship Merricks vineyard but gives a distinctly different expression: a slightly darker fruit profile and fine, grainy tannin structure. Most years, the site forms the backbone of the Stagiaire Pinot and Chardonnay, but in seasons like 2024, with good yields and top-quality fruit, Barney makes a small-batch, single-site wine. The MV6 vines were planted in 1996 and lie on the region’s signature brown/grey loamy soils.

Unlike the Merricks Pinot, there is no whole bunch influence here—Flanders explains that stems can easily dominate the fruit from this vineyard. The wine matured in 300-litre hogsheads (roughly 20% new) and spent nine months on lees before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. It’s lifted and perfumed with dark berries, woody herbs and spice paving the way for soft, juicy and plump weight and a distinct savoury, mineral flecked finish. A decant and a rich braise will set this off… chef’s kiss!