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.

Elanto Vineyard, a 10.6-hectare high-density site on the Mornington Peninsula, is managed by acclaimed winemaker Sandro Mosele and his team. With 11,000 vines per hectare—four times the typical density—yields are limited to 300-500g per vine, enhancing concentration and power in the wines. Organic practices, deep soil cultivation, and volcanic basalt soils rich in iron stone encourage site-specific expression, while the vineyard's southeast aspect and cool sea breezes preserve natural acidity and freshness. The five Pinot Noir vineyards—Vertex, Ironstone, Chicory, Kilnside, and Basalt—span 6.7 hectares on the upper slopes with basalt-rich soils. The red volcanic soils transition to shallower, stonier terrain mid-slope, producing lower yields, concentrated flavors, and a distinct tannin profile. Each vineyard was harvested and vinified separately, with chilled, destemmed fruit (3-5% whole bunches) undergoing cold soak and natural fermentation in concrete vats. After 25-30 days on skins, the wine was pressed and aged in a mix of new and older French oak barriques for 11 months before blending and bottling. Very deep dark red black tinged core with a dark red hue. Potently alluring aromas of dark cherries, strawberries, violet, dried herbs and subtle anise flood the olfactory senses with earthy rhubarb and spicy cedar notes ensuing. Rich and powerful the seductive palate has a wonderful velvet like feel to it with spicy dark cherry, strawberry and rhubarb flavours expanding across the palate like a peacocks tail, carrying with it ample textural volume. Lending further interest are brambly dried herb characters, forest floor and spicy cedar. Silky smooth tannins finishing very long, gorgeously fruited and supple. Drink over the next 5-6 years. Alc. 14%

As well as having established herself firmly in Burgundy, having been named Winemaker of the Year by Frances top wine magazine, Jane Eyre also makes small parcels of top-sited pinots here in Australia. The emphasis is always on fragrance and elegance in these excellent wines.

A pronounced nose of sour cherries, figs and quince followed by a fresh floral note of violets. On the palate is soft texture with a good tannic structure and great balance between the structural components with a smokey/ charred mouthfeel that adds complexity and suggest great ageing potential. French oak and velvet tannins finish this elegant pinot noir with style. Pair with Peking duck.

Hand-crafted from a single vineyard site, The Paringa is a Pinot Noir of utmost class, pedigree and intensity. Made from specifically selected barrels of Pinot Noir that were clearly superior at the time of blending and bottling, the wine is a powerful amalgamation of spice, cherry and charry oak characters with a palate of extreme persistence and integrity. Yet another Lindsay McCall masterpiece.

Yabby Lake's approach to viticulture and winemaking is peerless; lifted red fruits, silky mid-palate with undergrowthy nuances, and extended finish mean a wine with class written all over it.

This 20ha vineyard was planted on red clay loam soil at Woori Yallock in 2001 by Lou Primavera, with whom Giant Steps has a long-standing grape-supply relationship. Pinot Noir (114, MV6 and G8V3 clones) grown here on the north and north east facing slopes at 230m is noted for its complex structure and pronounced perfume. The 114 and MV6 are fermented as whole bunches in open vats, while the G8V3 is destemmed, given a long cold-soak and fermented separately to enhance its aromatic contribution. All ferments use indigenous yeasts and the whole-bunch components are periodically foot-stomped to release additional juice. The wines are pressed to 228 litre, French barriques (about 8% new) for 11 months before blending and bottling without fining or filtration.

A light, very bright crimson. Smells like a rose garden with a little lavender thrown in! You'll also find aromas of sour cherries and blood oranges. Poised, elegant and persistent, this flows mellifluously across the palate

This classic Yarra Valley Shiraz from Yeringberg is showing those trademark Shiraz characters of cracked black pepper and great fruit weight, there is also some good concentration and a long powdery tannin finish.

Levantine Hill Syrah has lifted complex aromas of dusty red berries, musk, cardamom and white pepper and vanillin oak. The elegant medium-bodied palate abounds with spice and earthy nuances in a concentration of savouriness. The silky ripe tannins have been deftly integrated with the underlying oak providing carriage for the fruit weight and lingering flavours to a pronounced and persistent finish.