2021 Paringa Estate The Paringa Pinot Noir, Mornington Peninsula

The Paringa has a reputation for being a powerful expression of pinot noir, no doubt about it, but sometimes, a vintage offers up this wine with comparatively more restraint and vibrancy thanks to acidity. Don’t think for a minute this is a wallflower, it’s rich and detailed, full of dark cherries, blood orange, amaro and a smoky, twiggy character. Full bodied with densely packed tannins a little raspy but detailed and juicy. I suspect this is going to cellar very well.

96 points Jane Faulkner winecompanion.com.au July 2023

Paringa Estate The Paringa Pinot Noir from Mornington Peninsula is a benchmark Australian Pinot that embodies precision, power, and poise. It comes from the estate’s home block in Red Hill South, a steep, north-facing vineyard with rich volcanic soils that consistently produces some of the most finely structured and age-worthy Pinot Noir in the region. This is the flagship Pinot from Paringa Estate and a wine that regularly garners critical acclaim for its depth and site expression.

Established by Lindsay McCall in 1985, Paringa Estate has long been one of the Mornington Peninsula’s leading producers, with a reputation built on meticulous vineyard work and a commitment to showcasing the nuances of site and vintage. The Paringa vineyard is planted to closely spaced vines and carefully managed to produce low yields and highly concentrated fruit.

The winemaking is thoughtful and restrained. Grapes are hand harvested and destemmed, then fermented in small open vats with daily plunging. A portion of whole bunches is sometimes included depending on the vintage, to add aromatic complexity and fine tannin. After fermentation, the wine is matured in French oak barriques for about 18 months, with a portion of new oak to add subtle structure and spice.

In the glass, The Paringa Pinot Noir opens with aromas of dark cherry, raspberry, dried rose, forest floor, and a hint of cedar. The palate is concentrated yet elegant, showing silky tannins, vibrant acidity, and layers of red and black fruit wrapped in earthy spice and mineral tension. The finish is long and precise, revealing both power and finesse.

This is a wine built to age but offers plenty of pleasure in its youth with decanting. Pair it with duck breast, roast pork with fennel, or mushroom-based dishes.