Stonier Merricks Pinot Noir 2024

The 2024 Merricks Pinot Noir presents a deep garnet hue, reflecting its depth and intensity. The nose is powerful and enveloping, offering layered aromas of boysenberry, wild game, and brioche. These aromatic notes carry through to the palate, where richness and restraint exist in harmony. Medium tannins support a flowing progression of flavour that fills the mouth, while hazelnut-like oak frames the ripe fruit with finesse. A hint of wild thyme lingers in the background, suggesting a subtle whole-cluster character. This is a generous and complex Pinot Noir that truly speaks to the red volcanic soils of the Merricks region.

Sourced from vineyards on Thompsons Lane in Merricks, all within 2km of the winery and estate vineyard, the fruit comes from vines over 20 years old. These vineyards, originally planted and still farmed by Stonier, share a closely aligned flavour profile with the home vineyard and have consistently contributed to the winery’s most distinguished Pinot Noirs.

The fruit was handpicked and cooled overnight. A 20% inclusion of whole bunches was layered at the base of 2.2-tonne fermenters, with destemmed fruit placed on top. After a single remontage on the day of processing, the must was left to soak naturally until spontaneous fermentation began. Ferments were gently plunged once daily, followed by a post-maceration period of 5–7 days, resulting in 16–18 days of total skin contact. The wine was then pressed, including pressings, settled, and transferred to 228 L French barriques (20% new). Malolactic fermentation occurred spontaneously during autumn, completing by mid-winter, with wines sulphured in August. Final barrel selection focused on batches that best captured the signature Merricks style.

The 2024 vintage was marked by two contrasting halves: an unsettled spring with below-average yields, followed by a warm, dry ripening period that produced beautifully concentrated fruit. This slow, steady ripening led to Pinot Noir wines with expressive perfume and silky tannins—qualities that define this standout release.