Wines Mornington Peninsula Paringa Estate - Estate Chardonnay - 2022

Viniou Reviews

The 2022 Paringa Estate ‘Estate Chardonnay’ from the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria is a fine showcase of Australian cool-climate winemaking. Crafted from carefully selected Chardonnay grapes, this cuvée reveals the elegant, precise character for which the estate is known. Benefitting from gentle whole-bunch pressing and fermentation in French oak, with a portion undergoing malolactic fermentation, the wine expresses a sophisticated balance between crispness and creamy texture. The 2022 vintage in Mornington Peninsula was relatively cool with a long growing season, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and fully, preserving their vibrant acidity and subtle complexity.

The Mornington Peninsula region is renowned for its maritime influence, which tempers the climate and shelters the vines from excessive heat. Its soils are mostly clay-based with volcanic overlays, contributing to the depth and minerality apparent in the wines. The region, although young in Australia’s viticultural history, has quickly established itself as one of the country’s leading areas for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Its proximity to the ocean provides consistent rainfall and moderates temperature extremes, essential for nurturing finesse and aromatic purity in white varieties like Chardonnay.

This Estate Chardonnay is an ideal partner for refined dishes. Try it with fresh shellfish—oysters, scallops, or poached lobster are particularly harmonious, as the wine’s acidity will cut through sweetness and brininess. Roast chicken with tarragon or seared sea bass in a beurre blanc sauce would also complement the wine's creamy notes and balanced oak influence. For a more regional touch, match it with grilled Australian Moreton Bay bugs or a traditional barramundi fillet served with lemon beurre blanc.

For an optimal tasting experience, serve this wine well-chilled but not too cold, ideally around 10-12°C. Allowing the wine a few minutes in the glass as it warms slightly will enable its layers of citrus fruit, white peach and subtle toasted hazelnut to unfold, offering both freshness and depth characteristic of a beautifully crafted cool-climate Chardonnay.