2025 Garagiste Merricks Rose

Merricks is always the anchor for what Barney Flanders does down on the Mornington Peninsula, a cooler, more wind-swept corner that gives his wines a proper, structural backbone. With this 2025 Pinot Rose release, he has taken the 'rosato' brief and given it some serious attitude - grown on those classic red volcanic soils, treated with the same respect and patience he gives his premium reds.

The season was a quick, dry run that required smart picking decisions to keep the freshness alive. Barney keeps things simple in the shed: wild fermentation, a bit of old wood, and plenty of time on lees to build up texture. This is not some simple, safe pink wine designed to be downed without thinking.

It pours a pale, bright copper colour. It dumps the usual sweet strawberries and cream Pinot rose style, delivering a dry, savoury crunch full of red currants, sour cherry skin, and a distinct, wild-herb bitterness. There is a great, waxy texture that fills the mouth before a fine line of native acidity cleans up the finish.

A seriously classy Rose!