2025 Toolangi Estate Pauls Lane Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley

From the original '01 pinot plantings. All MV6, 50% whole bunches. A brilliant, medium crimson. A discreet and perfumed nose redolent of blueberry, alpine strawberry and sweet floral notes. The palate is energetic and detailed, with a savoury edge that's very appealing. A well-crafted wine to drink now and over the next six to eight years.

96+ points Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion Jun '26

Toolangi has been part of the modern Yarra Valley story since Garry and Julie Hounsell established their vineyard at Dixon’s Creek in the mid 1990s. From the beginning, the focus was firmly on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with the cool Upper Yarra influenced conditions and careful vineyard work attracting some seriously talented winemakers over the years. Pauls Lane is one of the estate’s key Pinot Noir bottlings, showing the fragrant, finely structured side of the variety that the Yarra does so well.

The 2025 season produced beautifully expressive Pinot, with cool nights helping retain perfume and acidity as flavour developed. Pauls Lane is about detail rather than weight, drawing its personality from the vineyard rather than chasing ripeness or heavy oak. There is plenty of fruit, but it comes with the savoury spice, fine tannin and freshness that make good Yarra Pinot so appealing at the table.

Bright ruby with wild strawberry, red cherry and raspberry, lifted by violet and a touch of blood orange. Clove, black tea and subtle forest floor notes emerge behind the fruit, with a gentle savoury spice adding complexity. The palate is silky and medium bodied, carrying juicy red berries over fresh acidity and fine, supple tannins. Cherry and raspberry linger with orange peel, tea leaf and earthy spice through a fragrant finish.

Duck pancakes with cucumber and hoisin would disappear rather quickly beside it, while grilled tuna with sesame, mushroom dumplings, miso glazed eggplant or roast beetroot with goat’s cheese all suit its lightness and savoury detail. Cellaring: Drink now to 2034.