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PARINGA ESTATE The Paringa Single Vineyard Chardonnay, Mornington Peninsula

Jayden Ong working with some very fine Chardonnay from the upper Yarra Valley.

The 864 Henk Aqueduct Chardonnay carries complex aromas of struck match, white nectarine, fennel seed, and lime skin. Its palate is crystalline, and floral, with subtle mineral, toast, and vanilla bean nuances. The Aqueduct block, within Henk Vineyard, planted in 2008 on Woori Yallock’s red volcanic soils, is north-facing at 260 metres. The vines of Dijon 95 clone are farmed to yield 4.3 tonnes per hectare. Grapes are hand-picked and sorted before being pressed to French oak (20% new) as whole bunches. After fermentation, the wine rests on lees for 10 months in barrel, followed by 6 months in tank. Representing the pinnacle of winemaking at Oakridge, the 864 range are high-scoring, limited-release, single-block wines that stand out internationally as exceptional varietal examples.

Paringa is one of Australia's best and most consistent Pinot producers. This wine shows superb varietal aromas of cherry, plum and spice, and the palate is long, textured and complex. With the ability to be cellared for the medium to long term, Lindsay McCall's Estate Pinot is a certainty to be included in any cellar of a great Pinot Noir lover.

Stonier are the pioneers of the premium region that is the Mornington Peninsula. This outstanding Pinot Noir displays pure elegance and complexity. Dark cherry fruit flavours are balanced by gamey undertones and a savoury finish.

The palate exudes fleshy primary fruits, layered with nutmeal, lemon butter and brioche. A chalky, mineral texture and fresh citrus acidity continues the bounce.

With winter rains, healthy and wholesome grapevines protruded out of the soil at the Jansz vineyard. Grapes were picked from a single block in the vineyard, the whole bunch pressed, and fermented and aged in French oak barriques with more than five years on lees. This extensive winemaking procedure resulted in the creation of an elegant Chardonnay wine displaying pale gold colours with an exceptional bead. The lifted bouquet gives out scents of truffles, oyster shells and preserved lemons coupled with underlying nuances of honey nougat and Amaretti biscuits. The complex and intense palate is an amalgam of brioche, roast almond nougat and crystallised lemon nuances that balance the chalky minerality and creamy texture of the wine to provide a refreshing and lengthy climax. The wine possesses an alcohol content of 12% and is a great pairing with whole baked snapper with ginger and citrus.