JamesSuckling.com reflects James Suckling’s three decades of experience as a journalist and a wine critic. From tasting notes and videos to blogs and events, his website focuses on the great wines of the world including Italy, Bordeaux, Champagne, Australia, New Zealand, California, Chile, and Argentina.
In his words, “I believe that today’s wine drinker deserves more than just written reviews and criticism. They need to see with their own eyes the place, the people, and the rating process. Truly, there’s so much more to learn about wine than just simple numbers and prose.”
James Suckling was assisted by Master of Wine, Ned Goodwin for these reviews.
Paringa Estate ‘Estate’ Chardonnay 2022
Score: 95 Points
Tight and match-struck flinty. Pungent mineral notes, white peach, nectarine and a waft of vanilla pod oak, tucking in the seams. Gently mid-weighted. While Chablis is a cliche, oft-used by New World makers particularly in these parts, this is as close as it gets. Very good. Long and packed with vibrato. Drink or hold.
Paringa Estate ‘The Paringa’ Shiraz 2021
Score: 95 Points
Possibly the finest syrah (err, shiraz) out of this cooler, maritime region to date. That sounds like an underhanded compliment. Succinctly, this is excellent! Clove, black pepper grind, tapenade, violet and blood plum. The tannins, gritty and granular, yet finely wrought. Balletic, while straddling the gracious line of fruit and herb, glimpsing the excessive side of neither. The finish, excellent, with a dusting of Indian spice lingering long. Extract, freshness and savory drinkability in spades. Very Rhone-like. Drink or hold.
Paringa Estate ‘The Paringa’ Chardonnay 2021
Score: 94 Points
A pungent nose, playing a reductive hand with just the right amount of flint and mineral. Creamed cashew, nougat and a verdant riff of nettle across the core. The finish, streamlined and juicy. The oak evident at the edges. There is nothing too terse here, despite the tension. This will age very well. Drink or hold.
Paringa Estate ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir 2022
Score: 93 Points
This is an edgy, mid-weighted pinot that is not bereft of tannins. For the better. Edgy and jittery, moving across the gums and taking position, nobly, at the cleft of the palate. Immensely pleasurable already, with red pastille, bing cherry, dried lavender and sarsaparilla rolling long and vibrant. Drink or hold.
Paringa Estate ‘The Paringa’ Pinot Noir 2021
Score: 94 Points
While this is smoother and more supple than the Estate, more polished around the seams perhaps, it is not necessarily a superior wine. Chalky, refined tannins, mind you. Lilac, sweet bing cherry and damson. Lithe and svelte. Long and slick, but without the character. Drink or hold.
Paringa Estate Shiraz Mornington Peninsula Peninsula 2021
Score: 93 Points
Tasting the shiraz from this stable of late is a revelation. Taking the wind out of pinot’s sails, perhaps. Mid-weighted, crunchy, lithe and spicy. Nothing monochromatic. Mace, clove, cardamon, and smoked charcuterie. The finish detailed and thoroughly convincing if the Northern Rhone is the barometer of quality.