2017 Paringa Estate Pinot Noir Magnum 1.5l, Mornington Peninsula

It's no more than medium-weight in the glass, though loaded with aromatic punch: bunch and oak-spice, red licorice, wild strawberries wrapped in cloves. It carries more than enough fruit-weight and charm, sapid and ripe, raspberries front and centre. A beautiful pinot noir 17 Mar 2020 Drink 2020–2029

96 points Nick Butler therealreview.com #3 of 60 2017 Pinot Noir from Mornington Peninsula

There's a plushness to the tannins, a fineness across the medium-bodied palate and a balance throughout. There's some spiced cherries, woodsy spices and an enticing savoury overlay.

95 points Jane Faulkner winecompanion.com.au

Paringa Estate Pinot Noir is one of the defining wines of the Mornington Peninsula and a benchmark for cool climate Australian Pinot Noir, shaped by steep slopes, maritime influence and a fiercely hands on winemaking philosophy. The Paringa Estate vineyard sits high above Port Phillip Bay on dramatic north facing slopes, with shallow volcanic and sandy loam soils that naturally restrict yields and concentrate flavour. Constant sea breezes and cool nights slow ripening, building Pinot Noir with perfume, tension and savoury complexity rather than simple fruit sweetness. This challenging site is central to the wine’s character and has helped Paringa Estate carve out its reputation as one of the Peninsula’s most distinctive producers.

Paringa Estate was founded in the late 1980s by Lindsay McCall, one of the region’s true pioneers and a winemaker known for his uncompromising approach. McCall has always believed that great Pinot Noir comes from low yields, ripe tannins and fearless attention to detail in both vineyard and cellar. He farms the steep slopes largely by hand, accepts the risks of low cropping and harvests for flavour rather than numbers. In the winery the style is bold but controlled, with confident extraction and well judged oak that adds structure and spice without overwhelming the fruit. This approach has made Paringa Estate Pinot Noir a consistent award winner and a reference point for Mornington Peninsula Pinot.

In the glass the wine shows a deep ruby colour with vibrant clarity. Aromas are expressive and layered, offering dark cherry, black raspberry and plum skin alongside rose petal, spice, forest floor and a subtle savoury, earthy note. The palate is concentrated and powerful by Pinot Noir standards, yet balanced by fresh acidity and fine, persistent tannins that give length and authority. It is superb with roast duck, lamb, mushroom dishes and game, and it rewards cellaring, evolving beautifully over eight to twelve years as truffle, dried herbs and savoury complexity emerge.

Paringa Estate Pinot Noir is not a shy wine. It is a confident, site driven expression that reflects both the rugged Mornington Peninsula landscape and Lindsay McCall’s unwavering commitment to making Pinot Noir with character, depth and longevity.