The 2021 Merricks Pinot Noir, like in most other years, was the last fruit to ripen and therefore the last to be picked. The whole bunch portion was a little higher than usual this year (60%)—Flanders recognised the fruit could handle this given the quality and concentration of the vintage—which has added a savoury edge and a tannin complexity. The winemaking was, in true Garagiste form, pretty hands-off: natural fermentation, gentle extraction and 10 months in 25% new oak.