{"title":"Giant Steps","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"giant-steps-tarraford-vineyard-chardonnay-2018","title":"Giant Steps Tarraford Vineyard Chardonnay 2018","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Giant Steps Tarraford Vineyard Chardonnay 2018 is a blend of five of the key Giant Steps owned\/managed vineyards, Sexton, Gruyere Farm, Tarraford, Applejack, Wombat Creek Vineyards, designed for earlier approach-ability without comprising quality. Good winter rains left the ground with a healthy amount of moisture resources. Canopies were large and healthy and the fruit set was extraordinarily successful. Giant Steps did a “green” fruit thin back to one bunch per shoot and the vine\/fruit balance was perhaps the best they have seen in years. After a warm January, the flavours and skin ripeness came on very quickly. Even though days were warm, nights were cool. They picked very early to maintain fresh natural acidity and the Chardonnay bunches were turgid and pristine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eStyle - White Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Chardonnay\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Tarrawarra, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2018\u003cbr\u003eBottle - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":16056153571377,"sku":"GSTVCH","price":49.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/Giant-Steps-Tarraford-Vineyard-Chardonnay-2018.png?v=1688012163"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-applejack-vineyard-pinot-noir-2021","title":"Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn 1997 Phil Sexton arrived in the Yarra Valley in search of altitude, aged soils, slopes of exposure, regular rainfall and cool to cold night time temperatures and a gentle breeze off the protecting mountain ranges. Why, because he wanted to grow amazing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir fruit to make wines of purity and finesse. Applejack Vineyard is located on a dramatic slope and is closely planted and fastidiously managed. The basalt based underlying volcanic soil and rock produce a characteristically fine yet extended, spicy and firm palate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021 had a terrific vintage for both vineyard quality and quantity. The overall temperature during the growing season was lower than average which led to a long slow ripening period and great concentration of flavours and natural tannin structure. The drawn-out harvest then led to a long slow ripening period which produced thicker skins, riper stems and allowed us to work with more whole bunch fermentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI've long considered the Applejack vineyard to be one of the greatest sites for pinot in Australia and I'm not sure I've seen a better version than the 2021. A deep, bright, crimson purple. Maraschino cherry into plum, there's an exotic and riotous amalgam of Asian five-spice and a gentle savoury, umami character. What elevates this vintage is the concentration, along with Applejack's trademark perfume and spice. Just so vibrant and fresh on the palate, the tannins are both silky and plentiful. You will have no problems opening and enjoying this now, but the wine's track record suggests you'll thank me if you still have some to drink 7–10 years from now, if not longer. \u003cstrong\u003e- Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion, 98 Points\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStyle - Red Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Pinot Noir\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2021\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13.5%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":16056154259505,"sku":"GSAVPN","price":69.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/products\/Giant-Steps-Applejack-Vineyard.jpg?v=1633493676"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-applejack-vineyard-chardonnay-2021","title":"Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Chardonnay 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003eSpecialising in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Giant Steps explore site, micro climatic and clonal differences between several specialized vineyards in the Yarra Valley including their own multi-clonal vineyard and the highly regarded Tarraford vineyard. Focused intently upon reflecting the individual and unique characteristics of each single vineyard, Giant Steps adopts a minimalist approach to winemaking including, whenever possible, vinification using indigenous yeasts and gravity flow transfers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApplejack Vineyard, in the upper Yarra Valley, was planted by respected viticulturist Ray Guerin and is managed by his son Mark. The higher altitude results in a cooler and extended growing season, ideally suited to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (3-4 weeks later than central Yarra valley). Applejack Vineyard is located on a dramatic slope and is close planted and fastidiously managed. The basalt based underlying volcanic soil and rock produce a characteristically fine yet extended, spicy and firm palate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2021 Applejack Vineyard Chardonnay has a wonderful influence of florals, pear, red apple and musk. On the palate is preserved lemon, crushed nuts and more orchard fruit. A great wine that will continue to get better with careful cellaring. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2021 Giant Steps single vineyard chardonnays mean business. They have the reserve of the confident. This seemed yet more reserved than the Sexton, which itself was more reserved than the Tarraford, and yet like them both it feels commanding. Stones, green pineapple, musk and poached \u003cem\u003ered apple flavours, almost and pretty much effectively into quince, with grippy texture even as it pushes (confidently) through the finish. There is the influence of florals here, the influence of pear, the influence of crushed woodsy spices. This needs time but wow what a wine. -\u003cstrong\u003e Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, 95 Points\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eStyle - White Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Chardonnay\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2021\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV - 12.5%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":16056158748721,"sku":"GSAVCH","price":59.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/products\/giant-steps-applejack-vineyard-chardonnay_d9b84d2f-2c78-4df5-a1fd-15c301467a55.png?v=1624582354"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-nocton-vineyard-pinot-noir-2018","title":"Giant Steps Nocton Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eFor the Giant Steps Nocton Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018 vintage, the fruit was highly perfumed and delicate. Flavours are rich and long.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tasting-notes\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tasting-notes__items__1\"\u003e\n\u003csection id=\"aroma\" class=\"product-aroma\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSouthern Tasmania also had a fantastic Spring with highly successful flowering so again, this enabled the wine to shoot thin and cluster select down to one bunch per shoot. The whole ripening season was a little earlier than average and despite some good January rain, the overall growing season was relatively dry. The fruit was picked with lower sugars but with beautiful flavour and stem ripeness. This allowed it to go for the maximum while bunch inclusion in our ferments. The 2018 Nocton Pinot fruit was highly perfumed and delicate (the D5V12 clone was an important component of the blend) and the flavours are rich and long. Both clones were fermented separately in small open oak vats. 100% whole bunch, Indigenous yeast. Daily drains by gravity were splashed back onto the cap to maintain a constant ferment. Some pigeage (foot stomping) towards the end of ferment. Bottled by gravity with no fining or filtration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStyle - Red Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Pinot Noir\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Coal River Valley, Tasmania\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2018\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV - 14%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":16056162549809,"sku":"GSNVPN","price":68.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/Giant-Steps-Nocton-Vineyard-Pinot-Noir-2018.png?v=1688009093"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-primavera-vineyard-pinot-noir-2021","title":"Giant Steps Primavera Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIn 1997 Phil Sexton arrived in the Yarra Valley in search of altitude, aged soils, slopes of exposure, regular rainfall and cool to cold night time temperatures and a gentle breeze off the protecting mountain ranges. Why, because he wanted to grow amazing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir fruit to make wines of purity and finesse. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eAfter discovering Yarra Valley wines 25 years ago Lou Primavera planted this vineyard in Hoddles Creek in 2001. Having sourced fruit from the vineyard for some years, in testament to the increasing quality of this site, Giant Steps are now producing a single-vineyard Pinot Noir from Primavera. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eHand-picked, all fruit is chilled overnight to 12 degrees Celsius. Fermented in small oak fermenters and stainless steel open vats. The fruit was destemmed and sorted to create five individual, clonal, whole berry ferments. Every block from Primavera made it into the final blend. The overall temperature during the growing season was lower than average which led to a long slow ripening period and great concentration of flavours and natural tannin structure.  – just a beautiful vintage on that red soil.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMedium red-purple, bright colour; pronounced spicy, floral and dark-cherry aromas with a lick of smart oak; the palate is rich and full in profile, with abundant softly drying tannins and a bold, up-front structure. A generous pinot, of focused intensity and a long carry. It's refined and aromatic but also powerful, a wine of considerable charm. - \u003cstrong\u003eHuon Hooke, The Real Review, 94 Points\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eStyle - Red Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Pinot Noir\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2021\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39428790354007,"sku":"GSPVPN","price":69.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/products\/giant-steps-primavera-vineyard-pinot-noir.jpg?v=1633492530"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-wombat-creek-vineyard-chardonnay-2021","title":"Giant Steps Wombat Creek Vineyard Chardonnay 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003eYarra Valley based vigneron, Phil Sexton lives with his family in the middle of their 32 hectare vineyard established on the high north face of the Warramate Ranges in the dress circle of the Yarra Valley. Specialising in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Giant Steps explore site, micro climatic and clonal differences between several specialized vineyards in the Yarra Valley including their own multi-clonal vineyard and the highly regarded Tarraford vineyard. Focused intently upon reflecting the individual and unique characteristics of each single vineyard, Giant Steps adopts a minimalist approach to winemaking including, whenever possible, vinification using indigenous yeasts and gravity flow transfers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWombat Creek Vineyard is the highest altitude vineyard in the Yarra Valley, making it an ideal location for the production of extreme cool climate wines. The vineyard was originally planted in 1988 with the intention of producing base wine for sparkling production but over the years has been gradually transitioned to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for table wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIncredibly intricate wine, perfumed, powerful, long, textural\/grippy, gently creamy, and then when you think it’s finished, a peppery\/herbal spray to the aftertaste. - \u003cstrong\u003eCampbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, June 2022, 95 Points\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eStyle - White Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Chardonnay\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2021\u003cbr\u003eBottle - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39428799856727,"sku":"GSWCVCH","price":68.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/products\/giant-steps-wombat-creek-vineyard-chardonnay.jpg?v=1633495005"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-sexton-vineyard-chardonnay-2021","title":"Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn 1997 Phil Sexton arrived in the Yarra Valley in search of altitude, aged soils, slopes of exposure, regular rainfall and cool to cold night time temperatures and a gentle breeze off the protecting mountain ranges. Why, because he wanted to grow amazing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir fruit to make wines of purity and finesse. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2021 Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay is 100% hand picked, a spectacular year with every block and clone contributing to the final blend. Whole bunch pressed, juice transferred to barrel by gravity with no settling. A small amount of bâtonnage and 20% malolactic fermentation with maturation for 10 months in a combination of new and used French oak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSmells tightly wound and concentrated with aromas of ripe peach and nectarine, together with just a hint of lanolin and apple custard. Equally powerful and punchy on the palate. This has more of everything, including sprightly acid and some phenolic grip on the very long, stone-fruit pithy finish. Today, this is my pick of the 4 single-vineyard 2021 chardonnays, but who knows what will come out on top in 5 or even 10 years from now! - \u003cstrong\u003ePhilip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion, 97 Points\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eStyle - White Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Chardonnay\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2021\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13.0%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39805277110359,"sku":"GSSVCH","price":64.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/products\/giant-steps-sexton-chardonnay.png?v=1668551641"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-sexton-vineyard-pinot-noir-2021","title":"Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIn 1997 Phil Sexton arrived in the Yarra Valley in search of altitude, aged soils, slopes of exposure, regular rainfall and cool to cold night time temperatures and a gentle breeze off the protecting mountain ranges. Why, because he wanted to grow amazing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir fruit to make wines of purity and finesse. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLocated on the steep north facing slopes of the Warramate Ranges, the Sexton Vineyard is exposed and demanding. Being on the higher slopes, topsoil is thin and root systems have established themselves in shallow gravelly loams above a tough rocky clay base. Bunch yields set naturally low in this environment, resulting in intensely flavoured fruit with high skin to juice ratio.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2021 was a terrific vintage for both vineyard quality and quantity. We had a wet spring followed by a healthy amount of sunshine and some well-timed rain in January, leading to large green healthy canopies. The overall temperature during the growing season was lower than average which led to a long slow ripening period and great concentration of flavours and natural tannin structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA more robust Yarra Valley pinot with its aromas of dark cherries, black plum and a dried-earth character that makes it quite different to the other Giant Step single-vineyard pinots. - \u003cstrong\u003ePhillip Rich - Halliday Wine Companion, 96 Points\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eStyle - Red Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Pinot Noir\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2021\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13.5%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40035341467735,"sku":"GSSXPN21","price":69.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/products\/giant-steps-yarra-valley-pinot-noir-2021.png?v=1668551280"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-applejack-vineyard-pinot-noir-2021-1-5l","title":"Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021 1.5L","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn 1997 Phil Sexton arrived in the Yarra Valley in search of altitude, aged soils, slopes of exposure, regular rainfall and cool to cold night time temperatures and a gentle breeze off the protecting mountain ranges. Why, because he wanted to grow amazing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir fruit to make wines of purity and finesse. Applejack Vineyard is located on a dramatic slope and is closely planted and fastidiously managed. The basalt based underlying volcanic soil and rock produce a characteristically fine yet extended, spicy and firm palate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021 had a terrific vintage for both vineyard quality and quantity. The overall temperature during the growing season was lower than average which led to a long slow ripening period and great concentration of flavours and natural tannin structure. The drawn-out harvest then led to a long slow ripening period which produced thicker skins, riper stems and allowed us to work with more whole bunch fermentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI've long considered the Applejack vineyard to be one of the greatest sites for pinot in Australia and I'm not sure I've seen a better version than the 2021. A deep, bright, crimson purple. Maraschino cherry into plum, there's an exotic and riotous amalgam of Asian five-spice and a gentle savoury, umami character. What elevates this vintage is the concentration, along with Applejack's trademark perfume and spice. Just so vibrant and fresh on the palate, the tannins are both silky and plentiful. You will have no problems opening and enjoying this now, but the wine's track record suggests you'll thank me if you still have some to drink 7–10 years from now, if not longer.\u003cstrong\u003e - Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion, 98 Points\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStyle - Red Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Pinot Noir\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2021\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size - 1.5L\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13.5%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40066693365847,"sku":"GSAVPN1.5L21","price":149.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/products\/downloadimage.jpg?v=1671749264"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-wombat-creek-vineyard-pinot-noir-2021","title":"Giant Steps Wombat Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn 1997 Phil Sexton arrived in the Yarra Valley in search of altitude, aged soils, slopes of exposure, regular rainfall and cool to cold night time temperatures and a gentle breeze off the protecting mountain ranges. Why, because he wanted to grow amazing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir fruit to make wines of purity and finesse. Wombat Creek Vineyard is the highest altitude vineyard in the Yarra Valley, making it an ideal location for the production of extreme cool climate wines. The underlying ferrous (red) based volcanic soil and rock produce a distinctively soft yet long and firm palate that contrasts with the finer palates seen from the nearby Applejack Vineyard (basalt based volcanic).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2021 was a terrific vintage for both vineyard quality and quantity. The overall temperature during the growing season was lower than average which led to a long slow ripening period and great concentration of flavours and natural tannin structure. The drawn-out harvest then led to a long slow ripening period which produced thicker skins, riper stems and allowed more whole bunch fermentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedium colour, purple-tinted, spicy and vegetal aromas greet the nose, floral and raspberry too, with some vanilla and chocolate notes, the palate light-medium bodied with good intensity and a backbone of fine and taut tannins adding tension to the finish. Dried flowers and dried herbs. Great intensity, focus, depth and complexity and it has the potential to build more with time in the bottle. A pinot of real beauty. \u003cstrong\u003e- Huon Hooke, The Real Review, 96 Points\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStyle - Red Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Pinot Noir\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2021\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13.5%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40186243252311,"sku":"GSWCPN21","price":74.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/gswpno17-wc_1_default-web.png?v=1684821139"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-applejack-vineyard-chardonnay-2022","title":"Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Chardonnay 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eGiant Steps Wines is a renowned winery that was established in 1997 in the Yarra Valley. The winery has built a reputation for producing expressive wines with purity and finesse. The wines are a direct reflection of their individual vineyard sites, which are located across the Yarra Valley from Tarrawarra to Gladysdale. The founder of Giant Steps Wines, Phil Sexton, is a wine industry pioneer who ventured from Margaret River to Yarra Valley in search of the ideal site to cultivate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir of purity and finesse. Phil found his holy grail near Gruyere in the Sexton vineyard, which he planted in 1997 on the steep slopes of the Warramate Ranges. Being a mad jazz fan, Phil named the winery after John Coltrane’s album and fitting metaphor “Giant Steps.” In 2003, Winemaker Steve Flamsteed joined the team, and the two set about producing a range of iconic Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that express a profound sense of place from six finite sites in Yarra Valley. The winery's Head of Winemaking and Viticulture, Melanie Chester, who joined the team in 2021, is committed to honoring the expressions and diversity of its single sites. This means keeping the winemaking tight and transparent so that the diversity of the site is what you taste. “The wines will never look the same because the vineyards continue to change,” she explains, “but we are committed to ensuring that the quality will be the same if not better.” For more than 20 years, Giant Steps has been advancing Australia’s reputation for cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The Single vineyard range is sourced from each of the six vineyard sites around the Valley, using the most site-expressive fruit from that year’s vintage. The winery's loyal followers have played a significant role in the success of the winery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-198393b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"198393b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-widget-container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ce42974 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ce42974\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-widget-container\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApplejack Vineyard is a special site located on a dramatic slope in the upper Yarra Valley. This vineyard is closely planted and fastidiously managed, making it a unique and highly sought-after site for wine production. It was planted in 1997 by respected viticulturist Ray Guerin. The underlying volcanic soil and rock at Applejack Vineyard are basalt-based, which produces a characteristically fine yet extended, spicy, and firm palate. The higher altitude results in a cooler and extended growing season, making it ideally suited to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The growing season is typically 3-4 weeks later than central Yarra Valley, which gives the grapes more time to develop their unique characteristics. Applejack Vineyard joined the Giant Steps family of Single Vineyards in 2013, marking a significant milestone for the winery. The vineyard's unique characteristics and exceptional quality grapes have contributed significantly to the winery's reputation for producing iconic Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that express a profound sense of place. The team at Giant Steps is committed to honoring the expressions and diversity of its single sites, and Applejack Vineyard is no exception. The vineyard is closely monitored and managed to ensure that the grapes are of the highest quality. The result is a range of wines that are elegant and complex.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Chardonnay 2022 is a stunning white wine from the Yarra Valley, Victoria. This vegan-friendly wine is a true reflection of the unique terroir of the Applejack Vineyard, which is located on a dramatic slope in the upper Yarra Valley and is closely planted and fastidiously managed. The vintage notes for 2022 indicate that it was a high-quality but low-yielding season in the Yarra Valley. The mild summer meant long, slow ripening and flavor concentration throughout summer, with some well-placed rain in January refreshing the vineyards at just the right time. The grapes from 2022 came off the vine with lovely concentration and flavor and great natural acidity. The Chardonnay grapes from Applejack Vineyard require lots of attention to detail in the vineyard, with focus put on crop loads and fruit exposure to ensure even ripeness and acid levels. The wine was 100% hand-picked and whole bunch pressed, then transferred directly to barrel by gravity with no settling, taking full gross lees. It was wild fermented in 500L French oak puncheons, with no bâtonnage. The wine was then matured for 10 months in new and used French oak – 15% new, 85% older, Mercurey, Taransaud and Dargaud \u0026amp; Jaeglé. The resulting wine is a beautiful pale gold color with aromas of white peach, lemon and vanilla. On the palate, there are flavors of citrus, stone fruit and a hint of oak. The wine is full-bodied with a creamy texture and a long, elegant finish. This wine has a peak drinking\/cellaring potential of now to eight years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"This is the other leader of the pack, with the Sexton Vineyard. Wow! A near-vertiginous site in the Upper Yarra, underlain by basalt. Tighter, compact and nervous. Wild fermented, albeit, without the subtle application of malolactic that softens the other expressions. Perhaps a little less complex in its youth as a result, despite its mid-weight. As with all of these wines, the oak handling is exceptional. A lesson for others. Pistachio, curry leaf, lime blossom and vanilla accents jitter long. This will age exceptionally well, at which point the wine may be deserved of another point. Drinkable now, but best from 2026.\" - \u003cstrong\u003e95 POINTS, NED GOODWIN MW\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eStyle - White Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Chardonnay\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2022\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV - 12.5%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40208843866199,"sku":"GSAVCH22","price":74.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/giant-steps-applejack-vineyard-chardonnay.png?v=1688529121"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-applejack-vineyard-pinot-noir-2022","title":"Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eGiant Steps Wines is a renowned winery that was established in 1997 in the Yarra Valley. The winery has built a reputation for producing expressive wines with purity and finesse. The wines are a direct reflection of their individual vineyard sites, which are located across the Yarra Valley from Tarrawarra to Gladysdale. The founder of Giant Steps Wines, Phil Sexton, is a wine industry pioneer who ventured from Margaret River to Yarra Valley in search of the ideal site to cultivate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir of purity and finesse. Phil found his holy grail near Gruyere in the Sexton vineyard, which he planted in 1997 on the steep slopes of the Warramate Ranges. Being a mad jazz fan, Phil named the winery after John Coltrane’s album and fitting metaphor “Giant Steps.” In 2003, Winemaker Steve Flamsteed joined the team, and the two set about producing a range of iconic Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that express a profound sense of place from six finite sites in Yarra Valley. The winery's Head of Winemaking and Viticulture, Melanie Chester, who joined the team in 2021, is committed to honoring the expressions and diversity of its single sites. This means keeping the winemaking tight and transparent so that the diversity of the site is what you taste. “The wines will never look the same because the vineyards continue to change,” she explains, “but we are committed to ensuring that the quality will be the same if not better.” For more than 20 years, Giant Steps has been advancing Australia’s reputation for cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The Single vineyard range is sourced from each of the six vineyard sites around the Valley, using the most site-expressive fruit from that year’s vintage. The winery's loyal followers have played a significant role in the success of the winery.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eApplejack Vineyard is a special site located on a dramatic slope in the upper Yarra Valley. This vineyard is closely planted and fastidiously managed, making it a unique and highly sought-after site for wine production. It was planted in 1997 by respected viticulturist Ray Guerin. The underlying volcanic soil and rock at Applejack Vineyard are basalt-based, which produces a characteristically fine yet extended, spicy, and firm palate. The higher altitude results in a cooler and extended growing season, making it ideally suited to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The growing season is typically 3-4 weeks later than central Yarra Valley, which gives the grapes more time to develop their unique characteristics. Applejack Vineyard joined the Giant Steps family of Single Vineyards in 2013, marking a significant milestone for the winery. The vineyard's unique characteristics and exceptional quality grapes have contributed significantly to the winery's reputation for producing iconic Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that express a profound sense of place. The team at Giant Steps is committed to honoring the expressions and diversity of its single sites, and Applejack Vineyard is no exception. The vineyard is closely monitored and managed to ensure that the grapes are of the highest quality. The result is a range of wines that are elegant and complex.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022 is a remarkable red wine from the Yarra Valley, Victoria. The wine showcases the unique terroir of the Applejack Vineyard, which is located on a dramatic slope in the upper Yarra Valley with an elevation of 300 meters. The wine is made from hand-picked Pinot Noir grapes from the 2022 vintage, which was a challenging but high-quality season in the Yarra Valley. The grapes were harvested with lovely concentration and flavor, with great natural acidity and tannin. On the nose, the wine has intense aromas of dark cherries, blackberries and hints of spice and earthy notes. On the palate, the wine is elegant and refined, with a fine yet extended, spicy and firm palate. The higher altitude of the vineyard results in a cooler and extended growing season, ideally suited to Pinot Noir, resulting in a wine with intense flavor and texture on the palate. The earthen flavors combined with fine tannins make this wine a world-class Pinot Noir. The wine was fermented in small oak fermenters and stainless steel open vats, with almost 20% whole bunch fermentation. It was then matured for ten months in French oak, 20% new and 80% older, in 225L barriques from Taransaud and Dargaud. This careful winemaking process has resulted in a wine that is vegan-friendly and single-vineyard, showcasing the unique terroir of the Applejack Vineyard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMedium-full red with a purple rim, the bouquet red and darker cherries, dusty dried-herb notes, a trace of nutty oak, a hint of liqueured cherry as it aired. There is excellent intensity and volume of flavour, allied with good structure thanks to well shaped tannins, the finish long and the flavour and structure finish right out. Superb pinot noir. -\u003cstrong\u003e Huon Hooke, The Real Review, 96 Points.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGiven the cooler conditions, much of the whole-bunch quotient has shifted to whole berries. Still, 20%. The semi-carbonic approach exudes floral perfumes, red to blue pastille, red apple skin and rosewater. Mid-weighted, sappy, nicely crunchy and joyous. An earlier drinking wine in the context of the site. Really delicious. Drink or hold. - \u003cstrong\u003eNed Goodwin, Jamessuckling.com, 94 Points.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNamed after the Applejack eucalypts that surround the vineyard, which was planted at Gladysdale in 1997. Seven clones comprising 114, 115, MV6, D2V5, D5V15, Pommard and Abel. Whole bunches (15%) and 20–25% new French barriques. Like a Mahler symphony, all of the elements of this wine are in perfect harmony. Aromas of crushed rose petals, red and black cherries, satsuma plums and subtle hints of sandalwood and fennel fronds. There's a little charcuterie and a discreet touch of wet stone. On the palate, this is the most concentrated, structured and saline Applejack I can remember, yet you barely notice the tannins due to the core of pure raspberry and cherry fruit. There's a gentle sappiness on the long, lingering finish. Simply irresistible. -\u003cstrong\u003e Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion, 98 Points.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eWinner Pinot Noir Of The Year - James Halliday\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eStyle - Red Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Pinot Noir\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2022\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40208846323799,"sku":"GSAVPN22","price":84.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/giant-steps-applejack-vineyard_1a9f071a-e47b-4592-9b43-827e9e470dd3.jpg?v=1688532248"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-primavera-vineyard-pinot-noir-2022","title":"Giant Steps Primavera Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eGiant Steps Wines is a renowned winery that was established in 1997 in the Yarra Valley. The winery has built a reputation for producing expressive wines with purity and finesse. The wines are a direct reflection of their individual vineyard sites, which are located across the Yarra Valley from Tarrawarra to Gladysdale. The founder of Giant Steps Wines, Phil Sexton, is a wine industry pioneer who ventured from Margaret River to Yarra Valley in search of the ideal site to cultivate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir of purity and finesse. Phil found his holy grail near Gruyere in the Sexton vineyard, which he planted in 1997 on the steep slopes of the Warramate Ranges. Being a mad jazz fan, Phil named the winery after John Coltrane’s album and fitting metaphor “Giant Steps.” In 2003, Winemaker Steve Flamsteed joined the team, and the two set about producing a range of iconic Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that express a profound sense of place from six finite sites in Yarra Valley. The winery's Head of Winemaking and Viticulture, Melanie Chester, who joined the team in 2021, is committed to honoring the expressions and diversity of its single sites. This means keeping the winemaking tight and transparent so that the diversity of the site is what you taste. “The wines will never look the same because the vineyards continue to change,” she explains, “but we are committed to ensuring that the quality will be the same if not better.” For more than 20 years, Giant Steps has been advancing Australia’s reputation for cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The Single vineyard range is sourced from each of the six vineyard sites around the Valley, using the most site-expressive fruit from that year’s vintage. The winery's loyal followers have played a significant role in the success of the winery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrimavera Vineyard is a beautiful vineyard located in Hoddles Creek, Yarra Valley. Lou Primavera, after discovering Yarra Valley wines 25 years ago, planted this elevated vineyard in 2001. The vineyard is situated in Woori Yallock and has an elevation of 240 meters with a north and north-east facing aspect. The vineyard spans across 12 hectares and is planted with Pinot clones MV6 on the north slope and 115 and G-clone on the south slope. The Primavera family has a long-standing relationship with the vineyard, having sourced fruit from it for some years. The Primavera Pinot is a fragrant and floral wine, reflecting the unique terroir of the vineyard. The red clay loam soil type of the vineyard adds to the complexity of the wine, resulting in a wine that is both elegant and refined. The north and north-east facing aspect of the vineyard means that the vines receive ample sunlight, allowing the grapes to ripen to perfection. The elevation of the vineyard also ensures that the grapes benefit from cooler temperatures, resulting in a longer growing season and a wine with intense flavor and aroma.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiant Steps Primavera Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022 is a remarkable red wine from the Yarra Valley, Victoria. The wine is made from hand-picked Pinot Noir grapes from the 2022 vintage, which was a terrific vintage for both vineyard quality and quantity. The grapes were harvested with great concentration of flavors and natural tannin structure, resulting in a wine that is both elegant and refined. On the nose, the wine has intense aromas of red fruits, floral notes and hints of spice. On the palate, the wine is soft and sweet, with a fragrant and floral character. The Pinot Noir grapes were sourced from the Primavera Vineyard, located in Woori Yallock, with an elevation of 230 meters and north and north-east facing slopes. The red clay loam soil type of the vineyard adds to the complexity of the wine, resulting in a wine that is both elegant and refined. The wine was fermented in small oak fermenters and stainless steel open vats, with the fruit sorted to create individual, clonal ferments. The 115 was fermented as whole bunches in a seasoned oak vat, while the MV6 and G clone were fermented as whole berries with an extended cold soak. The ferment spent around 10 – 14 days on skins, with gentle mixing throughout that time using gravity. All parcels were matured in French oak, 20% new and 80% older, in 225L barriques and D\u0026amp;J, for ten months. The wine was not moved and kept in contact with its lees before blending in December. The wine is vegan-friendly and single-vineyard, showcasing the unique terroir of the Primavera Vineyard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMV6 and 115 clones, planted in a cool spot at 230 meters. The cool, wet year is obviated to an extent by a good portion of whole berries servicing sumptuous florals and oodles of red forest fruits. Very pretty, reminiscent of a high quality cru Beaujolais. Silky tannins. The acidity, gentle and peppery. The finish, svelte and joyous. Drink now. Preferably in large drafts, so delicious this is. \u003cstrong\u003eNed Goodwin MW, Jamessuckling.com, 93 Points.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eStyle - Red Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Pinot Noir\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2022\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13.5%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40208846651479,"sku":"GSPVPN22","price":89.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/giant-steps-primavera-vineyard-pinot-noir_080a874a-ab8f-4398-aee8-351cf203a0ba.jpg?v=1688532762"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-sexton-vineyard-chardonnay-2022","title":"Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eGiant Steps Wines is a renowned winery that was established in 1997 in the Yarra Valley. The winery has built a reputation for producing expressive wines with purity and finesse. The wines are a direct reflection of their individual vineyard sites, which are located across the Yarra Valley from Tarrawarra to Gladysdale. The founder of Giant Steps Wines, Phil Sexton, is a wine industry pioneer who ventured from Margaret River to Yarra Valley in search of the ideal site to cultivate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir of purity and finesse. Phil found his holy grail near Gruyere in the Sexton vineyard, which he planted in 1997 on the steep slopes of the Warramate Ranges. Being a mad jazz fan, Phil named the winery after John Coltrane’s album and fitting metaphor “Giant Steps.” In 2003, Winemaker Steve Flamsteed joined the team, and the two set about producing a range of iconic Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that express a profound sense of place from six finite sites in Yarra Valley. The winery's Head of Winemaking and Viticulture, Melanie Chester, who joined the team in 2021, is committed to honoring the expressions and diversity of its single sites. This means keeping the winemaking tight and transparent so that the diversity of the site is what you taste. “The wines will never look the same because the vineyards continue to change,” she explains, “but we are committed to ensuring that the quality will be the same if not better.” For more than 20 years, Giant Steps has been advancing Australia’s reputation for cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The Single vineyard range is sourced from each of the six vineyard sites around the Valley, using the most site-expressive fruit from that year’s vintage. The winery's loyal followers have played a significant role in the success of the winery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSexton Vineyard is a unique and highly respected vineyard located in the Yarra Valley, Victoria. Situated on the steep slopes of the Warramate Ranges, alongside the vineyards of iconic Yarra producers Yarra Yering and Coldstream Hills, it is one of the most revered pockets of the Valley. The vineyard is located in Gruyere and has an elevation of 130-210 meters with a north-facing aspect. The vineyard spans across 30 hectares and was planted in 1997, with a soil type of grey clay loam. The Sexton Vineyard is a unique terroir, with a tough, rocky clay base and shallow gravelly loams, resulting in naturally low bunch yields. The topsoil is thin and root systems have established themselves in shallow gravelly loams above a tough, rocky clay base. This environment produces intensely flavored fruit with high skin to juice ratio. The predominant clones used in the vineyard are GinGin and Mendoza, which produce hens and chickens (large and small grapes on the same bunch), resulting in high white tannin and phenolic content to balance the citrus flavors. The unique terroir of the Sexton Vineyard, with its tough, rocky clay base and shallow gravelly loams, results in wines that are highly sought after and respected. The vineyard produces wines that are both complex and delicious, with a balance of acidity and fruit flavors. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay 2022 is an exceptional white wine from the Yarra Valley, Victoria. The wine is made from hand-picked Chardonnay grapes from the 2022 vintage, which was a terrific vintage for both vineyard quality and quantity. The grapes were harvested with great concentration of flavors and natural acidity, resulting in a wine that is both elegant and refined. On the nose, the wine has intense aromas of citrus, white peach and hints of vanilla and oak. On the palate, the wine is rich and creamy, with a balanced acidity and flavors of ripe stone fruits and a hint of minerality. The Chardonnay grapes were sourced from the Sexton Vineyard, located in Gruyere, with an elevation of 130-210 meters and north-facing slopes. The grey clay loam soil type of the vineyard adds to the complexity of the wine, resulting in a wine that is both elegant and refined. The wine was fermented in 500L French puncheons, with a small amount of bâtonnage and 20% malolactic fermentation. The wine was matured for 10 months in new and used French oak, 20% new and 80% older, Taransaud, Mercurey, and D\u0026amp;J. The wine is vegan-friendly and single-vineyard, showcasing the unique terroir of the Sexton Vineyard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is an exceptional, mid-weighted chardonnay. A mesh of unresolved CO2 and juicy acidity provide trajectory. Vanilla pod oak provides direction. Taut and seamless. Lemon curd and roasted quince, nestled amidst creamed cashew, nougatine and truffle at the core. The finish is endless, joining a matrix of textural rivets and seams, underlain by the flavorful Gingin clone. With wines such as these it is little wonder that Australia boasts the finest expressions of chardonnay with Burgundy. Drinkable now, but best from 2025. - \u003cstrong\u003eNed Goodwin MW, Jamessuckling.com, 96 Points.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eStyle - White Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Chardonnay\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2022\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40208847044695,"sku":"GSSVCH22","price":74.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/giant-steps-sexton-chardonnay_3c945bdf-3486-4f93-8e06-65161aac5bb2.png?v=1688533213"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-sexton-vineyard-pinot-noir-2022","title":"Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eGiant Steps Wines is a renowned winery that was established in 1997 in the Yarra Valley. The winery has built a reputation for producing expressive wines with purity and finesse. The wines are a direct reflection of their individual vineyard sites, which are located across the Yarra Valley from Tarrawarra to Gladysdale. The founder of Giant Steps Wines, Phil Sexton, is a wine industry pioneer who ventured from Margaret River to Yarra Valley in search of the ideal site to cultivate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir of purity and finesse. Phil found his holy grail near Gruyere in the Sexton vineyard, which he planted in 1997 on the steep slopes of the Warramate Ranges. Being a mad jazz fan, Phil named the winery after John Coltrane’s album and fitting metaphor “Giant Steps.” In 2003, Winemaker Steve Flamsteed joined the team, and the two set about producing a range of iconic Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that express a profound sense of place from six finite sites in Yarra Valley. The winery's Head of Winemaking and Viticulture, Melanie Chester, who joined the team in 2021, is committed to honoring the expressions and diversity of its single sites. This means keeping the winemaking tight and transparent so that the diversity of the site is what you taste. “The wines will never look the same because the vineyards continue to change,” she explains, “but we are committed to ensuring that the quality will be the same if not better.” For more than 20 years, Giant Steps has been advancing Australia’s reputation for cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The Single vineyard range is sourced from each of the six vineyard sites around the Valley, using the most site-expressive fruit from that year’s vintage. The winery's loyal followers have played a significant role in the success of the winery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSexton Vineyard is a unique and highly respected vineyard located in the Yarra Valley, Victoria. Situated on the steep slopes of the Warramate Ranges, alongside the vineyards of iconic Yarra producers Yarra Yering and Coldstream Hills, it is one of the most revered pockets of the Valley. The vineyard is located in Gruyere and has an elevation of 130-210 meters with a north-facing aspect. The vineyard spans across 30 hectares and was planted in 1997, with a soil type of grey clay loam. The Sexton Vineyard is a unique terroir, with a tough, rocky clay base and shallow gravelly loams, resulting in naturally low bunch yields. The topsoil is thin and root systems have established themselves in shallow gravelly loams above a tough, rocky clay base. This environment produces intensely flavored fruit with high skin to juice ratio. The predominant clones used in the vineyard are GinGin and Mendoza, which produce hens and chickens (large and small grapes on the same bunch), resulting in high white tannin and phenolic content to balance the citrus flavors. The unique terroir of the Sexton Vineyard, with its tough, rocky clay base and shallow gravelly loams, results in wines that are highly sought after and respected. The vineyard produces wines that are both complex and delicious, with a balance of acidity and fruit flavors. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiant Steps Sexton Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022 is an exceptional red wine from the Yarra Valley, Victoria. The wine is made from hand-picked Pinot Noir grapes from the 2022 vintage, which was a high quality but low yielding season in the Yarra Valley. The grapes were harvested with lovely concentration and flavor, with great natural acidity and tannin, resulting in a wine that is both elegant and refined. On the nose, the wine has intense aromas of dark cherries, plums, and sweet spice notes. On the palate, the wine is rich and complex, with flavors of dark fruits, earthy undertones and a hint of minerality. The Pinot Noir grapes were sourced from the Sexton Vineyard, located in Gruyere, with an elevation of 130-210 meters and north-facing slopes. The grey clay loam soil type of the vineyard adds to the complexity of the wine, resulting in a wine that is both elegant and refined. The wine was 100% destemmed, soaked cold for five days, then allowed to warm gently into a wild ferment. All parcels were matured in French oak, 25% new and 75% older, Taransaud, Vicard and Dargaud \u0026amp; Jaeglé. The wine was racked to blend, with no fining and no filtration. The wine is single-vineyard, showcasing the unique terroir of the Sexton Vineyard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFrom the Sexton vineyard in Gruyere. Destemmed with whole berries and matured nine months in French barriques (20% new). A deep ruby crimson. The densest and most brooding of the Giant Steps Yarra Valley single-vineyard pinots from 2022. You'll find bramble berries, freshly ploughed earth and a little black pepper. Savoury and concentrated on the palate, there is plenty of meat on the bones with substantial and persistent tannins masked by the sheer weight of plush fruit at this stage. A succulent wine to enjoy now and over the next few years. - \u003cstrong\u003e96 points\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eJames Halliday -wine expert, Halliday Wine Companion\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eStyle - Red Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Pinot Noir\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2022\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40208847634519,"sku":"GSSXPN22","price":89.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/giant-steps-sexton-vineyard-pinot-noir-web.png?v=1690841306"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-wombat-creek-vineyard-chardonnay-2022","title":"Giant Steps Wombat Creek Vineyard Chardonnay 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eGiant Steps Wines is a renowned winery that was established in 1997 in the Yarra Valley. The winery has built a reputation for producing expressive wines with purity and finesse. The wines are a direct reflection of their individual vineyard sites, which are located across the Yarra Valley from Tarrawarra to Gladysdale. The founder of Giant Steps Wines, Phil Sexton, is a wine industry pioneer who ventured from Margaret River to Yarra Valley in search of the ideal site to cultivate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir of purity and finesse. Phil found his holy grail near Gruyere in the Sexton vineyard, which he planted in 1997 on the steep slopes of the Warramate Ranges. Being a mad jazz fan, Phil named the winery after John Coltrane’s album and fitting metaphor “Giant Steps.” In 2003, Winemaker Steve Flamsteed joined the team, and the two set about producing a range of iconic Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that express a profound sense of place from six finite sites in Yarra Valley. The winery's Head of Winemaking and Viticulture, Melanie Chester, who joined the team in 2021, is committed to honoring the expressions and diversity of its single sites. This means keeping the winemaking tight and transparent so that the diversity of the site is what you taste. “The wines will never look the same because the vineyards continue to change,” she explains, “but we are committed to ensuring that the quality will be the same if not better.” For more than 20 years, Giant Steps has been advancing Australia’s reputation for cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The Single vineyard range is sourced from each of the six vineyard sites around the Valley, using the most site-expressive fruit from that year’s vintage. The winery's loyal followers have played a significant role in the success of the winery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWombat Creek Vineyard is a unique and highly respected vineyard located in the Yarra Valley, Victoria. It is the highest altitude vineyard in the region, situated at an elevation of 410 meters, making it an ideal location for the production of extreme cool climate wines. The vineyard was originally planted in 1988 with the intention of producing base wine for sparkling production, but over the years has transitioned to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for table wine. The underlying ferrous (red) based volcanic soil and rock of the Wombat Creek Vineyard produce a distinctively soft yet long and firm palate, which contrasts with the finer palates seen from the nearby Applejack Vineyard (basalt based volcanic). This unique terroir results in wines that are highly sought after and respected, with a balance of acidity and fruit flavors. The vineyard is located in Gladysdale and has a north-east facing aspect. It spans across 16 hectares and was planted in 1988, with a soil type of volcanic loam (red\/ferrous). The unique terroir of the Wombat Creek Vineyard, with its ferrous volcanic soil and high altitude, produces wines that are both complex and delicious.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiant Steps Wombat Creek Vineyard Chardonnay 2022 is an exceptional white wine from the Yarra Valley, Victoria. The wine is made from hand-picked Chardonnay grapes from the 2022 vintage, which was a high quality but low yielding season in the Yarra Valley. The grapes were harvested with lovely concentration and flavor, with great natural acidity, resulting in a wine that is both elegant and refined. On the nose, the wine has intense aromas of lime leaf, lemon verbena and white flowers. On the palate, the wine is rich and complex, with flavors of citrus, stone fruits and a hint of minerality. The Chardonnay grapes were sourced from the Wombat Creek Vineyard, located in Gladysdale, with an elevation of 410 meters and north-east facing slopes. The volcanic loam soil type of the vineyard adds to the complexity of the wine, resulting in a wine that is both elegant and refined. The wine was fermented in 500L French puncheons, with some going through malolactic fermentation and matured for 10 months in new and used French oak, 15% new and 85% older, Mercurey, Taransaud and Dargaud \u0026amp; Jaeglé. The wine is vegan-friendly and single-vineyard, showcasing the unique terroir of the Wombat Creek Vineyard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDiscreet and a little more subdued than its siblings. The highest vineyard in the Yarra. Despite being gently mid-weighted with lower alcohol, this feels softer and looser at the seams, while still typically intense. Bitter almond, lemon zest, nectarine and pistachio accents roll across a skein of tangerine freshness and cinnamon oak. Oatmeal lees at the core. The finish is exceptionally long and effusive of energy. Drinkable now, but best from 2025. - \u003cstrong\u003eNed Goodwin MW, Jamessucking.com,\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e94 Points.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eStyle - White Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Chardonnay\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2022\u003cbr\u003eBottle - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV - 12.5%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40208847896663,"sku":"GSWCVCH22","price":74.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/giant-steps-wombat-creek-vineyard-chardonnay_0653a20e-c398-4e63-9aab-4079d11f5b55.jpg?v=1688534565"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-fatal-shore-pinot-noir-2020","title":"Giant Steps Fatal Shore Pinot Noir 2020","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn 1997 Phil Sexton arrived in the Yarra Valley in search of altitude, aged soils, slopes of exposure, regular rainfall and cool to cold night time temperatures and a gentle breeze off the protecting mountain ranges. Why, because he wanted to grow amazing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir fruit to make wines of purity and finesse. Wombat Creek Vineyard is the highest altitude vineyard in the Yarra Valley, making it an ideal location for the production of extreme cool climate wines. The underlying ferrous (red) based volcanic soil and rock produce a distinctively soft yet long and firm palate that contrasts with the finer palates seen from the nearby Applejack Vineyard (basalt based volcanic).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHand picked, the fruit is then immediately refrigerated and sailed across Bass Strait into the winery the following morning. They destem the D clone and cold soak for 3 – 4 days, then allow it to warm to kick start fermentation (Indigenous yeast) in a small open oak vat. The MV6 from the top of the hill was fermented as whole bunches Both parcels were matured in French oak – 25% new, 75% older – for 8 months in 225L barriques. Racked to blend, no fining, no filtration. Bottled by gravity. Natural acidity across both the clones in the top Pinot blocks was surprisingly high. Fruit was hand sorted in both vineyard and winery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFruit from the Coal River Valley in Tassie, but made in the Yarra via the gentle way that defines Giant Steps. Yet the density and power of the place, the fruit intensity, comes through strongly. Dark cherries abound, but so too savoury, umami flavours of soy sauce and dried porcini with meaty reduction and spicy oak adding another layer. Full bodied with shapely tannins and a persuasive finish. A neat counterpoint to the Yarra Valley single-vineyard wines. \u003cstrong\u003e- Jane Faulkner, James Halliday Wine Companion, 95 Points.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA notably deeper colour than the Giant Steps Yarra pinots, looking more Central Otago than Yarra! The bouquet shows dark fruits rather than red, rich and ripe, with more stemmy whole-bunch overtones than the 2020 Yarra pinots, although they all have about 50% whole-bunch ferments. The wine is medium-bodied and has more weight and tannin than the Yarra wines, finishing with a conclusive grip which is in balance and simply calls for heartier food. It has less perfume and detail but more brawn. - \u003cstrong\u003eHuon Hooke, The Real Review, 94 Points.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStyle - Red Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Pinot Noir\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Coal River Valley, Tasmania\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2020\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13.5%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40208848027735,"sku":"GSFSPN20","price":69.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/fatal-shore-pinot-noir-2020.png?v=1688534975"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-clay-ferment-ocarina-chardonnay-2021","title":"Giant Steps Clay Ferment Ocarina Chardonnay 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003eYarra Valley based vigneron, Phil Sexton lives with his family in the middle of their 32 hectare vineyard established on the high north face of the Warramate Ranges in the dress circle of the Yarra Valley. Specialising in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Giant Steps explore site, micro climatic and clonal differences between several specialized vineyards in the Yarra Valley including their own multi-clonal vineyard and the highly regarded Tarraford vineyard. Focused intently upon reflecting the individual and unique characteristics of each single vineyard, Giant Steps adopts a minimalist approach to winemaking including, whenever possible, vinification using indigenous yeasts and gravity flow transfers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe overall temperature during the growing season was lower than average which led to a long slow ripening period and great concentration of flavours and natural acidity. A selected parcel of fruit from each of Giant Steps single vineyard sites was whole bunch pressed straight to 675 Litre open top Clay “Egg” vessels. After fermentation, the lids were sealed with clay and allowed to settle for 6 months. The wine was then racked to tank and bottled. No fining, no filtration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFrom 4 Giant Steps vineyards, fermented in matured in 675L clay eggs produced in Byron Bay. Whole-bunch pressed, wild ferment and kept in clay for 6 months. No filtration and bottled by gravity. A very bright green gold. Aromas of almond meal, freshly grated ginger and white flowers. A little match stick, too. An intriguing palate, which is dry, grippy, even and long. A bit closed, this would be a great food wine and it will be fascinating to see how this evolves and changes over the next few years. - \u003cstrong\u003ePhilip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion,\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e 93 Points.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eStyle - White Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Chardonnay\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2021\u003cbr\u003eBottle - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40208848453719,"sku":"GSCFOCH21","price":64.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/giant-steps-clay-ferment-ocarina-chardonnay-2021.png?v=1688535555"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-applejack-vineyard-pinot-noir-2022-1-5l","title":"Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022 1.5L","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eGiant Steps Wines is a renowned winery that was established in 1997 in the Yarra Valley. The winery has built a reputation for producing expressive wines with purity and finesse. The wines are a direct reflection of their individual vineyard sites, which are located across the Yarra Valley from Tarrawarra to Gladysdale. The founder of Giant Steps Wines, Phil Sexton, is a wine industry pioneer who ventured from Margaret River to Yarra Valley in search of the ideal site to cultivate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir of purity and finesse. Phil found his holy grail near Gruyere in the Sexton vineyard, which he planted in 1997 on the steep slopes of the Warramate Ranges. Being a mad jazz fan, Phil named the winery after John Coltrane’s album and fitting metaphor “Giant Steps.” In 2003, Winemaker Steve Flamsteed joined the team, and the two set about producing a range of iconic Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that express a profound sense of place from six finite sites in Yarra Valley. The winery's Head of Winemaking and Viticulture, Melanie Chester, who joined the team in 2021, is committed to honoring the expressions and diversity of its single sites. This means keeping the winemaking tight and transparent so that the diversity of the site is what you taste. “The wines will never look the same because the vineyards continue to change,” she explains, “but we are committed to ensuring that the quality will be the same if not better.” For more than 20 years, Giant Steps has been advancing Australia’s reputation for cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The Single vineyard range is sourced from each of the six vineyard sites around the Valley, using the most site-expressive fruit from that year’s vintage. The winery's loyal followers have played a significant role in the success of the winery.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eApplejack Vineyard is a special site located on a dramatic slope in the upper Yarra Valley. This vineyard is closely planted and fastidiously managed, making it a unique and highly sought-after site for wine production. It was planted in 1997 by respected viticulturist Ray Guerin. The underlying volcanic soil and rock at Applejack Vineyard are basalt-based, which produces a characteristically fine yet extended, spicy, and firm palate. The higher altitude results in a cooler and extended growing season, making it ideally suited to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The growing season is typically 3-4 weeks later than central Yarra Valley, which gives the grapes more time to develop their unique characteristics. Applejack Vineyard joined the Giant Steps family of Single Vineyards in 2013, marking a significant milestone for the winery. The vineyard's unique characteristics and exceptional quality grapes have contributed significantly to the winery's reputation for producing iconic Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that express a profound sense of place. The team at Giant Steps is committed to honoring the expressions and diversity of its single sites, and Applejack Vineyard is no exception. The vineyard is closely monitored and managed to ensure that the grapes are of the highest quality. The result is a range of wines that are elegant and complex.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022 is a remarkable red wine from the Yarra Valley, Victoria. The wine showcases the unique terroir of the Applejack Vineyard, which is located on a dramatic slope in the upper Yarra Valley with an elevation of 300 meters. The wine is made from hand-picked Pinot Noir grapes from the 2022 vintage, which was a challenging but high-quality season in the Yarra Valley. The grapes were harvested with lovely concentration and flavor, with great natural acidity and tannin. On the nose, the wine has intense aromas of dark cherries, blackberries and hints of spice and earthy notes. On the palate, the wine is elegant and refined, with a fine yet extended, spicy and firm palate. The higher altitude of the vineyard results in a cooler and extended growing season, ideally suited to Pinot Noir, resulting in a wine with intense flavor and texture on the palate. The earthen flavors combined with fine tannins make this wine a world-class Pinot Noir. The wine was fermented in small oak fermenters and stainless steel open vats, with almost 20% whole bunch fermentation. It was then matured for ten months in French oak, 20% new and 80% older, in 225L barriques from Taransaud and Dargaud. This careful winemaking process has resulted in a wine that is vegan-friendly and single-vineyard, showcasing the unique terroir of the Applejack Vineyard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMedium-full red with a purple rim, the bouquet red and darker cherries, dusty dried-herb notes, a trace of nutty oak, a hint of liqueured cherry as it aired. There is excellent intensity and volume of flavour, allied with good structure thanks to well shaped tannins, the finish long and the flavour and structure finish right out. Superb pinot noir. -\u003cstrong\u003e Huon Hooke, The Real Review, 96 Points.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGiven the cooler conditions, much of the whole-bunch quotient has shifted to whole berries. Still, 20%. The semi-carbonic approach exudes floral perfumes, red to blue pastille, red apple skin and rosewater. Mid-weighted, sappy, nicely crunchy and joyous. An earlier drinking wine in the context of the site. Really delicious. Drink or hold. - \u003cstrong\u003eNed Goodwin, Jamessuckling.com, 94 Points.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNamed after the Applejack eucalypts that surround the vineyard, which was planted at Gladysdale in 1997. Seven clones comprising 114, 115, MV6, D2V5, D5V15, Pommard and Abel. Whole bunches (15%) and 20–25% new French barriques. Like a Mahler symphony, all of the elements of this wine are in perfect harmony. Aromas of crushed rose petals, red and black cherries, satsuma plums and subtle hints of sandalwood and fennel fronds. There's a little charcuterie and a discreet touch of wet stone. On the palate, this is the most concentrated, structured and saline Applejack I can remember, yet you barely notice the tannins due to the core of pure raspberry and cherry fruit. There's a gentle sappiness on the long, lingering finish. Simply irresistible. -\u003cstrong\u003e Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion, 98 Points.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eWinner Pinot Noir Of The Year - James Halliday\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eStyle - Red Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Pinot Noir\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2022\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size - 1.5L\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40223579701335,"sku":"GSAVPN221.5L","price":179.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/giant_steps_applejack_vineyard_pinot_noir_15l_web.png?v=1691121826"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-ldr-pinot-noir-syrah-2022","title":"Giant Steps LDR Pinot Noir Syrah 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eGiant Steps Wines is a renowned winery that was established in 1997 in the Yarra Valley. The winery has built a reputation for producing expressive wines with purity and finesse. The wines are a direct reflection of their individual vineyard sites, which are located across the Yarra Valley from Tarrawarra to Gladysdale. The founder of Giant Steps Wines, Phil Sexton, is a wine industry pioneer who ventured from Margaret River to Yarra Valley in search of the ideal site to cultivate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir of purity and finesse. Phil found his holy grail near Gruyere in the Sexton vineyard, which he planted in 1997 on the steep slopes of the Warramate Ranges. Being a mad jazz fan, Phil named the winery after John Coltrane’s album and fitting metaphor “Giant Steps.” In 2003, Winemaker Steve Flamsteed joined the team, and the two set about producing a range of iconic Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that express a profound sense of place from six finite sites in Yarra Valley. The winery's Head of Winemaking and Viticulture, Melanie Chester, who joined the team in 2021, is committed to honoring the expressions and diversity of its single sites. This means keeping the winemaking tight and transparent so that the diversity of the site is what you taste. “The wines will never look the same because the vineyards continue to change,” she explains, “but we are committed to ensuring that the quality will be the same if not better.” For more than 20 years, Giant Steps has been advancing Australia’s reputation for cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The Single vineyard range is sourced from each of the six vineyard sites around the Valley, using the most site-expressive fruit from that year’s vintage. The winery's loyal followers have played a significant role in the success of the winery.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2022 was a very small, high quality vintage in the Yarra Valley. The season was defined by a cool Spring, a mild growing season, cool nights and some conveniently spaced rain. The vineyards developed dark green healthy canopies with strong vine energy and good fruit set. This resulted in smaller crops with concentrated bunch flavour, vibrant colours and high natural acidity. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFruit for the LDR is from both the Sexton and Tarraford Vineyards and was 100% hand-picked. Fermented in small open vats with indigenous yeasts. The Syrah fermented using 100% whole bunch carbonic maceration. The Pinot Noir was destemmed and cold soaked for 4 days, and then fermented as whole berries. 3 months maturation in large old French oak barrels. Bottled with no fining or filtration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e56\/44% pinot\/syrah. Fermented separately with some whole bunches (for the syrah) and a short élevage in seasoned puncheons and barriques. A very bright crimson purple. Springs from the glass with violets, cherries, raspberries and a touch of Sichuan pepper. A juicy yet focused and delicious mouthful with satiny tannins. The bargain red wine in the portfolio.\u003cem\u003e -\u003cstrong\u003e Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion, 95 Points.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eStyle - Red Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Pinot Noir, Shiraz\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2022\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40230683115607,"sku":"GSLDRPS22","price":29.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/giant-steps-ldr-web.png?v=1692235182"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-fatal-shore-pinot-noir-2022","title":"Giant Steps Fatal Shore Pinot Noir 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn 1997 Phil Sexton arrived in the Yarra Valley in search of altitude, aged soils, slopes of exposure, regular rainfall and cool to cold night time temperatures and a gentle breeze off the protecting mountain ranges. Why, because he wanted to grow amazing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir fruit to make wines of purity and finesse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn obsession with Single Vineyard Pinot Noirs from great Pinot growing areas around the world, Giant Steps have gone as far south (and as cold) as you can go in this country. Despite the cool temperatures, the sunlight hours are long and intense and we are intrigued by the depth of palate and colour that is possible from this landscape. While it is made with the Giant Steps gentle winemaking approach, the result is clearly a world apart in terroir. The Pinot Noir from Nocton vineyard have amazing density and texture, with powerful weight and concentration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHand picked, the fruit is then immediately refrigerated and sailed across Bass Strait into the winery the following morning. They destem the D clone and cold soak for 3 – 4 days, then allow it to warm to kick start fermentation (Indigenous yeast) in a small open oak vat. The MV6 from the top of the hill was fermented as whole bunches Both parcels were matured in French oak – 25% new, 75% older – for 8 months in 225L barriques. Racked to blend, no fining, no filtration. Bottled by gravity. Natural acidity across both the clones in the top Pinot blocks was surprisingly high. Fruit was hand sorted in both vineyard and winery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDeep-ish red with a good strong tint of purple; very correct ripe cherry aromas, clean and bright. The wine is rich and ripe with abundant dark cherry flavours laced with subtle spices, and the palate is full, fruit-sweet and rounded, with ample soft fine tannins and highly appealing flavours that linger on well. This will reward some cellar time. - \u003cstrong\u003eHuon Hooke, The Real Review, 96 Points.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStyle - Red Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Pinot Noir\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Coal River Valley, Tasmania\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2022\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13.5%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40519478247511,"sku":"GSFSPN22","price":79.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/fatal-shore-22.jpg?v=1708389727"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-sexton-vineyard-chardonnay-2022-1-5l","title":"Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay 2022 1.5L","description":"\u003cp\u003eGiant Steps Wines is a renowned winery that was established in 1997 in the Yarra Valley. The winery has built a reputation for producing expressive wines with purity and finesse. The wines are a direct reflection of their individual vineyard sites, which are located across the Yarra Valley from Tarrawarra to Gladysdale. The founder of Giant Steps Wines, Phil Sexton, is a wine industry pioneer who ventured from Margaret River to Yarra Valley in search of the ideal site to cultivate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir of purity and finesse. Phil found his holy grail near Gruyere in the Sexton vineyard, which he planted in 1997 on the steep slopes of the Warramate Ranges. Being a mad jazz fan, Phil named the winery after John Coltrane’s album and fitting metaphor “Giant Steps.” In 2003, Winemaker Steve Flamsteed joined the team, and the two set about producing a range of iconic Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that express a profound sense of place from six finite sites in Yarra Valley. The winery's Head of Winemaking and Viticulture, Melanie Chester, who joined the team in 2021, is committed to honoring the expressions and diversity of its single sites. This means keeping the winemaking tight and transparent so that the diversity of the site is what you taste. “The wines will never look the same because the vineyards continue to change,” she explains, “but we are committed to ensuring that the quality will be the same if not better.” For more than 20 years, Giant Steps has been advancing Australia’s reputation for cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The Single vineyard range is sourced from each of the six vineyard sites around the Valley, using the most site-expressive fruit from that year’s vintage. The winery's loyal followers have played a significant role in the success of the winery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSexton Vineyard is a unique and highly respected vineyard located in the Yarra Valley, Victoria. Situated on the steep slopes of the Warramate Ranges, alongside the vineyards of iconic Yarra producers Yarra Yering and Coldstream Hills, it is one of the most revered pockets of the Valley. The vineyard is located in Gruyere and has an elevation of 130-210 meters with a north-facing aspect. The vineyard spans across 30 hectares and was planted in 1997, with a soil type of grey clay loam. The Sexton Vineyard is a unique terroir, with a tough, rocky clay base and shallow gravelly loams, resulting in naturally low bunch yields. The topsoil is thin and root systems have established themselves in shallow gravelly loams above a tough, rocky clay base. This environment produces intensely flavored fruit with high skin to juice ratio. The predominant clones used in the vineyard are GinGin and Mendoza, which produce hens and chickens (large and small grapes on the same bunch), resulting in high white tannin and phenolic content to balance the citrus flavors. The unique terroir of the Sexton Vineyard, with its tough, rocky clay base and shallow gravelly loams, results in wines that are highly sought after and respected. The vineyard produces wines that are both complex and delicious, with a balance of acidity and fruit flavors. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay 2022 is an exceptional white wine from the Yarra Valley, Victoria. The wine is made from hand-picked Chardonnay grapes from the 2022 vintage, which was a terrific vintage for both vineyard quality and quantity. The grapes were harvested with great concentration of flavors and natural acidity, resulting in a wine that is both elegant and refined. On the nose, the wine has intense aromas of citrus, white peach and hints of vanilla and oak. On the palate, the wine is rich and creamy, with a balanced acidity and flavors of ripe stone fruits and a hint of minerality. The Chardonnay grapes were sourced from the Sexton Vineyard, located in Gruyere, with an elevation of 130-210 meters and north-facing slopes. The grey clay loam soil type of the vineyard adds to the complexity of the wine, resulting in a wine that is both elegant and refined. The wine was fermented in 500L French puncheons, with a small amount of bâtonnage and 20% malolactic fermentation. The wine was matured for 10 months in new and used French oak, 20% new and 80% older, Taransaud, Mercurey, and D\u0026amp;J. The wine is vegan-friendly and single-vineyard, showcasing the unique terroir of the Sexton Vineyard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is an exceptional, mid-weighted chardonnay. A mesh of unresolved CO2 and juicy acidity provide trajectory. Vanilla pod oak provides direction. Taut and seamless. Lemon curd and roasted quince, nestled amidst creamed cashew, nougatine and truffle at the core. The finish is endless, joining a matrix of textural rivets and seams, underlain by the flavorful Gingin clone. With wines such as these it is little wonder that Australia boasts the finest expressions of chardonnay with Burgundy. Drinkable now, but best from 2025. - \u003cstrong\u003eNed Goodwin MW, Jamessuckling.com, 96 Points.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eStyle - White Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Chardonnay\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2022\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size - 1.5L\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40588456755287,"sku":"GSSVCH221.5L","price":159.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/giant-steps-sexton-chardonnay_faeabea2-bbd4-44ec-b5da-11aaa2a21bf2.png?v=1710473800"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-ldr-pinot-noir-syrah-2024","title":"Giant Steps Yarra Valley LDR Pinot Noir Syrah 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eGiant Steps Wines is a renowned winery that was established in 1997 in the Yarra Valley. The winery has built a reputation for producing expressive wines with purity and finesse. The wines are a direct reflection of their individual vineyard sites, which are located across the Yarra Valley from Tarrawarra to Gladysdale. The founder of Giant Steps Wines, Phil Sexton, is a wine industry pioneer who ventured from Margaret River to Yarra Valley in search of the ideal site to cultivate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir of purity and finesse. Phil found his holy grail near Gruyere in the Sexton vineyard, which he planted in 1997 on the steep slopes of the Warramate Ranges. Being a mad jazz fan, Phil named the winery after John Coltrane’s album and fitting metaphor “Giant Steps.” In 2003, Winemaker Steve Flamsteed joined the team, and the two set about producing a range of iconic Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that express a profound sense of place from six finite sites in Yarra Valley. The winery's Head of Winemaking and Viticulture, Melanie Chester, who joined the team in 2021, is committed to honoring the expressions and diversity of its single sites. This means keeping the winemaking tight and transparent so that the diversity of the site is what you taste. “The wines will never look the same because the vineyards continue to change,” she explains, “but we are committed to ensuring that the quality will be the same if not better.” For more than 20 years, Giant Steps has been advancing Australia’s reputation for cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The Single vineyard range is sourced from each of the six vineyard sites around the Valley, using the most site-expressive fruit from that year’s vintage. The winery's loyal followers have played a significant role in the success of the winery.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2024 vintage growing season begun with ideal flowering conditions. Ultimately, we had good fruit set which formed into moderate yields. Cool and mild through December, one of the highest rainfalls in January on record followed (150mm), then heat and fast maturity. By February the Indian summer pattern that is common in the Yarra Valley had returned. Ideal growing conditions – warm and dry with little disease pressure – resulted in wines with great acidity, balance, and flavour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFruit for the LDR is from both the Sexton and Tarraford Vineyards and was 100% hand-picked. Fermented in small open vats with indigenous yeasts. The Syrah fermented using 100% whole bunch carbonic maceration. The Pinot Noir was destemmed and cold soaked for 4 days, and then fermented as whole berries. 6 months maturation in a combination of large format 2000lt and small format (225Lt +500Lt) French oak barrels. Bottled by gravity. No fining. No filtration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eEnjoy with Hibachi char-grilled octopus with a squeeze of lemon. Manchego cheese and green olive tapenade. Wood fired pizza. Miso eggplant, baked polenta with salsa verde. Pork rilletes and cornichons. - \u003cstrong\u003eMelanie Chester, Winemaker.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eStyle - Red Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Pinot Noir, Shiraz\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2024\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40826875740247,"sku":"GSLDRPS","price":29.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/giant-steps-ldr-web_f2d742fd-4e4e-4db3-95a3-b813b83440e1.png?v=1713825883"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-wombat-creek-vineyard-pinot-noir-2022","title":"Giant Steps Wombat Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Information:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGreat bone structure! If you like the lighter\/more structural style of Yarra Valley pinot, then this is the one for you. Mesmerising redcurrants, early season raspberries, pomegranate, coriander seeds and tea rose scents. Energetic and silky on the palate, this is both finessed as it is structured. Finishes even and long with pliant, persistent tannins and juicy acidity. Drinkable now and clearly lots of potential.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWombat Creek Vineyard is the highest altitude vineyard in the Yarra Valley, making it an ideal location for the production of extreme cool climate wines. The underlying red based volcanic soil and rock at Wombat Creek Vineyard tends to produce a distinctively soft yet long and firm palate that contrasts with the finer palates seen from the nearby Applejack Vineyard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaker:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince 1997, Giant Steps has built a reputation based on expressive wines with purity and finesse out of Yarra Valley. The Giant Steps wines are a direct reflection of their individual vineyard sites, located across the Yarra Valley from Tarrawarra to Gladysdale. Founded by wine industry pioneer Phil Sexton, who journeyed from Margaret River to Yarra Valley to find the ideal site to cultivate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir of purity and finesse. Phil found his holy grail near Gruyere in the Sexton vineyard, which he planted in 1997 on the steep slopes of the Warramate Ranges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA big jazz fan, Phil named the winery after John Coltrane’s album and fitting metaphor “Giant Steps.” In 2003, Winemaker Steve Flamsteed came aboard, and the two set about producing a range of iconic Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that express a profound sense of place from six finite sites in Yarra Valley. By 2001 Winemaker, Melanie Chester, became Head of Winemaking and Viticulture at Giant Steps in 2021. Mel's long-held admiration for the winery comes with an intrinsic pressure to honour the expressions and diversity of its single sites. This means keeping the winemaking tight and transparent, so that diversity of site is what you taste.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVineyard:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWombat Creek Vineyard is the highest altitude vineyard in the Yarra Valley (Gladysdale, at 400m asl), making it an ideal location for the production of extreme cool climate wines. The 16ha vineyard was originally planted north-east facing in 1988, with the intention of producing base wine for sparkling production but over the years has transitioned to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for table wine. The underlying ferrous (red) based volcanic soil and rock produce a distinctively soft yet long and firm palate, that contrasts with the finer palates seen from the nearby Applejack Vineyard (basalt based volcanic).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNose - Early Season Raspberries, Pomegranate, Campari\/Dried Herbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is pretty wild, pretty exotic, flowers and herbs flying.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePalate - Silky, Crunch Red Berries, Herb Savouriness\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eCranberry, strawberry and red cherry with twig and herb notes.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinish - Persistent Tannins, Juicy Acid, Fine Papery Tannin \u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eThere's a trace of herbal bitterness on the finish which cleanses and adds kick. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFrom the Wombat Creek vineyard, planted around 400m elevation in the early 1980s. All clone MV6; 100% whole berries, fermented in a 3t oak vat and matured in French barriques (20% new). Redcurrants, early season raspberries, pomegranate, coriander seeds and tea rose scents. Vibrant and silky in the mouth, this is both elegant and structured. Finishes even and long with pliant, persistent tannins and juicy acidity.\u003c\/em\u003e - \u003cstrong\u003ePhilip Rich, Halliday Companion, 96 points.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDry, grapey, and yet inherently savoury. This is pretty wild, pretty exotic, flowers and herbs flying. Cranberry, strawberry and red cherry with twig and herb notes. The finish here is so dry, with so much crunch and grip, that I’ve underlined the words ‘crackle and squeak’ in my notes. And yet – importantly – all this dryness is served with a juiciness running through it. If you like the lighter\/more structural style of Yarra Valley pinot, then I’d reckon that you should be bullish on this.\u003c\/em\u003e - \u003cstrong\u003eCampbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, 95 Points.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMedium-full red with a tint of purple and aromas of Campari\/dried-herbs, red fruits of all sorts, the taste intense and measured with an abundance of fine, papery tannins leading to a clean dry finish. There's a trace of herbal bitterness on the finish which cleanses and adds kick. A very fine pinot that promises more for the future. - \u003cstrong\u003eHuon Hooke, The Real Review, 95 Points.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStyle - Red Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Pinot Noir\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2022\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41117673324631,"sku":"GSWCPN22","price":79.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/giantstepswombatcreek.jpg?v=1720492988"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-applejack-vineyard-chardonnay-2023","title":"Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Chardonnay 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Information:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2023 Applejack Chardonnay arrives. Savoury, with lovely notes of lemon rind and grilled nuts. Overall, a sense of wound up stone fruits, lemon verbena and crushed rocks. It's nervy, saline and no doubt a long future ahead of it. Drink or keep!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChardonnay from Applejack needs lots of attention to detail in the vineyard, a big emphasis on crop loads and fruit exposure to ensure even ripeness and acid levels. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor winemaking, it starts completely handpicked and gently whole bunch pressed. The juice was then transferred directly to barrel by gravity with no settling, taking full lees for texture and detail. Wild fermentation takes place in 500L French oak puncheons. No lees stirring and no Malolactic fermentation for a more crystalline style. Maturation goes 9 months in used French oak – 25% 2nd use, 75% seasoned, Mercurey, Taransaud and Dargaud \u0026amp; Jaeglé.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom GM and Head Winemaker at Giant Steps, Melanie Chest, “We have intentionally delayed the release to give the wines the time they deserved to express the purity of the vintage,” Chester notes. “I am so happy we made that choice—the wines are singing as we head into their release in August. Thanks for your patience, as I know many of you look forward each year to the new bottles from your favourite vineyards. We are especially excited that this release features our first expressions from Bastard Hill and highlights the stunning 2023 vintage. We hope you love the wines are much as we do.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Giant Steps team are totally rapt after being named Winery of the Year and the 2023 Applejack Pinot Noir Best Pinot Noir at the 2025 Halliday Companion Awards. “It’s really wonderful to see the dedication and hard work of our entire Giant Steps team acknowledged in such a profound way,” says Melanie Chester. Giant Steps have an unwavering commitment to create pure and finessed wines that tell the stories of their vertiginous sites. Giant Steps vineyards have some of, if not the most exciting vineyards in the country.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-id=\"198393b\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-198393b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-widget-container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-id=\"ce42974\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ce42974 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-widget-container\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaker:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince 1997, Giant Steps has built a reputation based on expressive wines with purity and finesse out of Yarra Valley. These are wines that reflect individual vineyard sites, located across the Yarra Valley from Tarrawarra to Gladysdale. Giant Steps was founded by wine industry pioneer Phil Sexton, who journeyed from Margaret River to Yarra Valley looking for the ideal site to cultivate pure and finessed Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEventually, Phil found his hallowed ground near Gruyere in the Sexton vineyard, which he planted in 1997 on the steep slopes of the Warramate Ranges. The name comes from John Coltrane's album \"Giant Steps\", which felt like a fitting choice given the steep slopes of the vineyard and Phil's love of jazz. In 2003, Winemaker Steve Flamsteed came aboard, another muso, and the two set about producing a range of iconic Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that express a profound sense of place from six finite sites in Yarra Valley.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelanie Chester, became Head of Winemaking and Viticulture at Giant Steps in 2021, her long-held admiration for the winery comes with an intrinsic pressure to honour the expressions and diversity of its single sites. Mel, says she is \"committed to ensuring that the quality will be the same if not better.” This means keeping the winemaking tight and transparent, so that diversity of site is what you taste. Giant Steps has been advancing Australia’s reputation for cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for the past 20 years, the addition of Mel's craft and energy will ensure this legacy continues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe proof in the pudding. Giant Steps was awarded 2025 Halliday Winery of the Year and Pinot Noir of the Year. A huge achievement that's been years in the making. Of course Mel takes none of the credit (the best seldom do), instead she props up everyone involved until now, founder Phil Sexton, winemaker Steve Flamsteed, grower Lou Primavera and respected viticulturist Ray Guerin. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrue, there's much to celebrate at Giant Steps, and it's impossible not to mention the new(-ish) Bastard Hill Vineyard release among them. Wine journalist, Campbell Mattinson paints a colourful gist of the site, \"the Bastard Hill vineyard, named for obvious reasons, has been left to sleep out there on its steep mountain slopes as the bastard child of the companies formerly known as Hardy’s. As a result this should-be-great vineyard has been left out there in the cold, hidden away, myth-like, talked about but not seen, and rarely tasted, like a giant, an unlikely giant, a sleeping one.\" This vineyard of untapped protentional, is in the upper reaches of the Yarra Valley, planted in 1986, a vineyard too ahead of its time. Until now this nearly 40 years old vineyard had only shown glimpses of greatness, contributing to Eileen Hardy's chardonnay in the 90s and top Yarra Burn releases, only glimpses but more than enough to know the 'Bastard' would be worth the effort.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVineyard:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2023 was a small, high-quality vintage in the Yarra Valley. The season was defined by a cool Spring, a mild growing season, cool nights, and medium to high rainfall. 2023 was one of the coolest and latest harvests on record, with their first pick starting two and a half weeks later than the previous average. The grapes in 2023 had lovely fruit concentration with bright natural acidities. Chardonnay from Applejack needs lots of attention to detail in the vineyard, a big emphasis on crop loads and fruit exposure to ensure even ripeness and acid levels. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApplejack Vineyard is a special site, located on a dramatic slope in the upper Yarra Valley and is closely planted and fastidiously managed. It was planted by respected viticulturist Ray Guerin in 1997. The basalt based underlying volcanic soil and rock produce a characteristically fine yet extended, spicy and firm palate. Gladysdale Vineyard's higher altitude (180 - 260m) results in a cooler and extended growing season, ideally suited to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (3-4 weeks later than central Yarra Valley).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNose - Stonefruits, Lemon Verbena, Crushed Rock Minerals\u003cbr\u003eA pure and gently reticent bouquet of stone fruits, lemon verbena and crushed rocks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePalate - Tightly Wound Stone Fruits, Acid Fruit Tension, Almond Cream\u003cbr\u003eThe palate is tightly coiled, steely, saline and focused.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinish - Savoury, Lemon Rind, Grilled Nuts\u003cbr\u003eSavoury, with lovely notes of lemon rind and grilled nuts. Excellent ageing potential.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnything Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir can do, Applejack Chardonnay can do just as well. This is a ripping chardonnay. It has fruit power up its sleeve and in its wrist bands and everywhere else. And yet it’s tight. And stony. Shot with white peach. And run with apple, sweet cedar, brine and the wet leaves of a lemon tree. There’s some dare to the acidity but it brings flavour with it; it took the risk and it turned out, the reward was worth it. This is an advanced level wine. You drink it, and you know all you need to know. - \u003cstrong\u003eCampbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, 96 Points.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eApplejack vineyard was planted at Gladysdale by Ray Guerin in 1997, and only 2ha of its 11ha is planted to chardonnay. It is named for the Applejack eucalypts that surround it. Whole-bunch pressed straight to barrel with full solids and matured in mainly second use puncheons. A very bright green gold. A pure and gently reticent bouquet of stone fruits, lemon verbena and crushed rocks. The palate is tightly coiled, steely, saline and focused. A wine with excellent potential. - \u003cstrong\u003eHalliday Wine Companion, 95 Points.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eStyle - White Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Chardonnay\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2023\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41230833811543,"sku":"GSAVCH23","price":89.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/giantstepsapplechard.jpg?v=1725493361"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-sexton-vineyard-chardonnay-2023","title":"Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Information:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay 2023 shows exotic fruits of yuzu, ginger snap biscuit and preserve lemon give a wine of energy and drive, finished with a lovely texture from the characteristic Gingin tannins and acidity. Sexton vineyard produces their most confident and open chardonnays due to it’s northern aspect and exposure and clonal selection - the Chardonnay clones are Gingin and Mendoza which produce hens and chickens (large and small grapes on the same bunch), which results in high white tannin and phenolic content to balance the citrus flavours. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor winemaking, it starts completely handpicked and gently whole bunch pressed. The juice was then transferred directly to barrel by gravity with no settling, taking full lees for texture and detail. Wild fermentation takes place in 500L French oak puncheons. A small amount of bâtonnage post fermentation and 20% malolactic fermentation. Maturation goes 9 months in used French oak –  15% new, 85% seasoned, Taransaud, Mercurey and Dargaud \u0026amp; Jaeglé.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom GM and Head Winemaker at Giant Steps, Melanie Chest, “We have intentionally delayed the release to give the wines the time they deserved to express the purity of the vintage,” Chester notes. “I am so happy we made that choice—the wines are singing as we head into their release in August. Thanks for your patience, as I know many of you look forward each year to the new bottles from your favourite vineyards. We are especially excited that this release features our first expressions from Bastard Hill and highlights the stunning 2023 vintage. We hope you love the wines are much as we do.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Giant Steps team are totally rapt after being named Winery of the Year and the 2023 Applejack Pinot Noir Best Pinot Noir at the 2025 Halliday Companion Awards. “It’s really wonderful to see the dedication and hard work of our entire Giant Steps team acknowledged in such a profound way,” says Melanie Chester. Giant Steps have an unwavering commitment to create pure and finessed wines that tell the stories of their vertiginous sites. Giant Steps vineyards have some of, if not the most exciting vineyards in the country.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-id=\"198393b\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-198393b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-widget-container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-id=\"ce42974\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ce42974 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-widget-container\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaker:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince 1997, Giant Steps has built a reputation based on expressive wines with purity and finesse out of Yarra Valley. These are wines that reflect individual vineyard sites, located across the Yarra Valley from Tarrawarra to Gladysdale. Giant Steps was founded by wine industry pioneer Phil Sexton, who journeyed from Margaret River to Yarra Valley looking for the ideal site to cultivate pure and finessed Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEventually, Phil found his hallowed ground near Gruyere in the Sexton vineyard, which he planted in 1997 on the steep slopes of the Warramate Ranges. The name comes from John Coltrane's album \"Giant Steps\", which felt like a fitting choice given the steep slopes of the vineyard and Phil's love of jazz. In 2003, Winemaker Steve Flamsteed came aboard, another muso, and the two set about producing a range of iconic Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that express a profound sense of place from six finite sites in Yarra Valley.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelanie Chester, became Head of Winemaking and Viticulture at Giant Steps in 2021, her long-held admiration for the winery comes with an intrinsic pressure to honour the expressions and diversity of its single sites. Mel, says she is \"committed to ensuring that the quality will be the same if not better.” This means keeping the winemaking tight and transparent, so that diversity of site is what you taste. Giant Steps has been advancing Australia’s reputation for cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for the past 20 years, the addition of Mel's craft and energy will ensure this legacy continues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe proof in the pudding. Giant Steps was awarded 2025 Halliday Winery of the Year and Pinot Noir of the Year. A huge achievement that's been years in the making. Of course Mel takes none of the credit (the best seldom do), instead she props up everyone involved until now, founder Phil Sexton, winemaker Steve Flamsteed, grower Lou Primavera and respected viticulturist Ray Guerin. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrue, there's much to celebrate at Giant Steps, and it's impossible not to mention the new(-ish) Bastard Hill Vineyard release among them. Wine journalist, Campbell Mattinson paints a colourful gist of the site, \"the Bastard Hill vineyard, named for obvious reasons, has been left to sleep out there on its steep mountain slopes as the bastard child of the companies formerly known as Hardy’s. As a result this should-be-great vineyard has been left out there in the cold, hidden away, myth-like, talked about but not seen, and rarely tasted, like a giant, an unlikely giant, a sleeping one.\" This vineyard of untapped protentional, is in the upper reaches of the Yarra Valley, planted in 1986, a vineyard too ahead of its time. Until now this nearly 40 years old vineyard had only shown glimpses of greatness, contributing to Eileen Hardy's chardonnay in the 90s and top Yarra Burn releases, only glimpses but more than enough to know the 'Bastard' would be worth the effort.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVineyard:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2023 was a small, high-quality vintage in the Yarra Valley. The season was defined by a cool Spring, a mild growing season, cool nights, and medium to high rainfall. 2023 was one of the coolest and latest harvests on record, with their first pick starting two and a half weeks later than the previous average. The grapes in 2023 had lovely fruit concentration with bright natural acidities. Chardonnay from Applejack needs lots of attention to detail in the vineyard, a big emphasis on crop loads and fruit exposure to ensure even ripeness and acid levels. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLocated on the steep north facing slopes of the Warramate Ranges, the Sexton Vineyard is an icon Chardonnay Vineyard. Being on the higher slopes, topsoil is thin and root systems have established themselves in shallow gravelly loams above a tough rocky clay base. Bunch yields set naturally low in this environment, resulting in intensely flavoured fruit with high skin to juice ratio. The predominant clones are Gingin and Mendoza which produce hens and chickens (large and small grapes on the same bunch), which results in high white tannin and phenolic content to balance the citrus flavours. This vineyard produces their most confident and open chardonnays due to it’s northern aspect and exposure and clonal selection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNose - Yuzu, Ginger Snap Biscuits, Salted Lemon\u003cbr\u003ePungent freshness, exotic yuzu, ginger snap biscuit and preserve lemon. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePalate - Ripened White Peach, Pear, Sea Spray\u003cbr\u003ePerfectly ripened white peach, pear and some marine scents lead onto the palate, which is gently textured, saline and structured.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinish - Nutty, Sizzling Mineral Feel, Long\u003cbr\u003eFinishes with a lovely texture from the characteristic Gingin tannins and acidity, nutty and long. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e2023 Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay “Made from a 50\/50% blend of Gingin and Bernard clones planted between 100 and 200m in Gruyere. Whole- bunch pressed to French puncheons (25% new oak) with 15% mlf. Right now, this is the most salivating and seductive of Giant Step’s superb array of single-vineyard chardonnays from ‘23. Perfectly ripened white peach, pear and some marine scents lead onto the palate, which is gently textured, saline and structured. The finish is energetic, nutty and long. - \u003cstrong\u003eHalliday Wine Companion, 97 Points.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThere’s genuine intensity of chardonnay fruit flavour here and a keen bite that goes with it. Sweet pear, white peach and citrus characters lead to a finish of green pineapple, grapefruit and brine, every step along the way both deliberate and powerful. No meanderings allowed here. Nougat oak teams it all seamlessly together, the finish long and resounding. General view would be that this is good to drink now but for me it needs at least another year in bottle.\u003cstrong\u003e - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, 96 Points.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eStyle - White Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Chardonnay\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2023\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13.5%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41230914486359,"sku":"GSSVCH23","price":89.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/gssextonchardonnaynv.jpg?v=1725495203"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-applejack-vineyard-pinot-noir-2023","title":"Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Information:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAustralia's best Pinot Noir right now. Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023 is Pinot Noir Of The Year winner - James Halliday's 2025 Wine companion. With this release, expect the most earthy of pinot noirs, then intoxicating perfume and all exotic red fruits that we love about Pinot, with complex notes of fresh turned earth, miso and mushroom. The flavours combined with compacted tannins, intense flavour and texture. This is world class Pinot Noir, from probably Australia's best vineyard sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor winemaking it is hand-picked, Fermented in a combination of small oak fermenters and stainless-steel open vats. The Pommard clone parcels were fermented as whole bunches, while the remaining clones were destemmed to whole berries and cold soaked for four days before fermentation started naturally. The final blend is 40% whole bunch fermented. All parcels were matured in French oak 20% new, 80% seasoned – for ten months in 225L barriques, predominately Taransaud and Dargaud \u0026amp; Jaeglé. The wine was not moved and kept in contact with its lees before blending in December. Bottled by gravity. No fining. No filtration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom GM and Head Winemaker at Giant Steps, Melanie Chest, “We have intentionally delayed the release to give the wines the time they deserved to express the purity of the vintage,” Chester notes. “I am so happy we made that choice - the wines are singing as we head into their release in August. Thanks for your patience, as I know many of you look forward each year to the new bottles from your favourite vineyards. We are especially excited that this release features our first expressions from Bastard Hill and highlights the stunning 2023 vintage. We hope you love the wines are much as we do.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Giant Steps team are totally rapt after being named Winery of the Year and the 2023 Applejack Pinot Noir Best Pinot Noir at the 2025 Halliday Companion Awards. “It’s really wonderful to see the dedication and hard work of our entire Giant Steps team acknowledged in such a profound way,” says Melanie Chester. Giant Steps have an unwavering commitment to create pure and finessed wines that tell the stories of their vertiginous sites. Giant Steps vineyards have some of, if not the most exciting vineyards in the country.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-198393b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"198393b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-widget-container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ce42974 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ce42974\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-widget-container\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaker:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince 1997, Giant Steps has built a reputation based on expressive wines with purity and finesse out of Yarra Valley. These are wines that reflect individual vineyard sites, located across the Yarra Valley from Tarrawarra to Gladysdale. Giant Steps was founded by wine industry pioneer Phil Sexton, who journeyed from Margaret River to Yarra Valley looking for the ideal site to cultivate pure and finessed Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEventually, Phil found his hallowed ground near Gruyere in the Sexton vineyard, which he planted in 1997 on the steep slopes of the Warramate Ranges. The name comes from John Coltrane's album \"Giant Steps\", which felt like a fitting choice given the steep slopes of the vineyard and Phil's love of jazz. In 2003, Winemaker Steve Flamsteed came aboard, another muso, and the two set about producing a range of iconic Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that express a profound sense of place from six finite sites in Yarra Valley.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelanie Chester, became Head of Winemaking and Viticulture at Giant Steps in 2021, her long-held admiration for the winery comes with an intrinsic pressure to honour the expressions and diversity of its single sites. Mel, says she is \"committed to ensuring that the quality will be the same if not better.” This means keeping the winemaking tight and transparent, so that diversity of site is what you taste. Giant Steps has been advancing Australia’s reputation for cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for the past 20 years, the addition of Mel's craft and energy will ensure this legacy continues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe proof in the pudding. Giant Steps was awarded 2025 Halliday Winery of the Year and Pinot Noir of the Year. A huge achievement that's been years in the making. Of course Mel takes none of the credit (the best seldom do), instead she props up everyone involved until now, founder Phil Sexton, winemaker Steve Flamsteed, grower Lou Primavera and respected viticulturist Ray Guerin. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVineyard:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2023 was a small, high-quality vintage in the Yarra Valley. The season was defined by a cool Spring, a mild growing season, cool nights, and medium to high rainfall. 2023 was one of the coolest and latest harvests on record, with their first pick starting two and a half weeks later than the previous average. The grapes in 2023 had lovely fruit concentration with bright natural acidities. Chardonnay from Applejack needs lots of attention to detail in the vineyard, a big emphasis on crop loads and fruit exposure to ensure even ripeness and acid levels. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApplejack Vineyard is a special site, located on a dramatic slope in the upper Yarra Valley and is closely planted and fastidiously managed. It was planted by respected viticulturist Ray Guerin in 1997. The basalt based underlying volcanic soil and rock produce a characteristically fine yet extended, spicy and firm palate. Gladysdale Vineyard's higher altitude (180 - 260m) results in a cooler and extended growing season, ideally suited to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (3-4 weeks later than central Yarra Valley). This vineyard is a special location for Pinot Noir in the Yarra Valley – its eastern aspect means the sun rises to gently warm and dry out the vineyard in the morning, but the vines are sheltered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNose - Perfumed Red Fruit, Turned Earth, Spices\u003cbr\u003eExotic, aromatic and pure with its bouquet of wild strawberries, dark cherries, quince, spices and flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePalate - Sous Bois, Saturated Wild Berries, Seamless\u003cbr\u003eAll exotic red fruits that we love about Pinot, with complex notes of fresh turned earth, miso and mushroom. Densely packed fruits, but light on its feet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinish - Dense Fine Tannin, Intense, Textured\u003cbr\u003eThe flavours combined with compacted tannins, intense flavour and texture. Super.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e2022 was a hard act to follow, but this superb wine gives it a shake. Exotic, aromatic and pure with its bouquet of wild strawberries, dark cherries, quince, spices and flowers. Densely packed, this saturates the palate, but, as always, it's light on its feet at the same time. Seamless tannins round out another benchmark for what's already a benchmark wine. - \u003cstrong\u003ePhilip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion, 98 Points. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eI tasted this wine a few months ago and loved it from the first sip. I have it on the desk now and there it is again, aglimmer in the glass. This wine is no one’s fool. It’s a pure expression of its place in the world and that place happens to be complex. It’s a cool wine with straight trees of tannin, perfumed red and black berries, lines of spice and echoes of woodsmoke. It’s a forest of a wine, a bit lush, a bit wet, a bit woody; verdant. At all times, as you drink it, the fruit comes at you like a swell. When you swallow this wine it flares out like you’ve reached the lookout at the end of a long walk. It’s a good wine. And it’s more than that.\u003cstrong\u003e - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, 96 Points.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePinot Noir of the Year 2025. James Halliday Wine Companion.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eStyle - Red Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Pinot Noir\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2023\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13.2%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41230974713943,"sku":"GSAVPN23","price":99.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/gsapplepn.jpg?v=1725497200"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-primavera-vineyard-pinot-noir-2023","title":"Giant Steps Primavera Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Information:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDelicious. A wine you can crack open today. The Primavera vineyard has always produced Giant Step's most floral, red fruited and fragrant Pinot Noir. Hot to trot, with its berry sweetness, savoury herb flourishes and juicy crunch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHandpicked, fermented in a combination of small oak fermenters and stainless-steel open vats. Each clone was fermented and matured separately and is either fermented with 100% whole bunches included or 100% Destemmed. The MV6 was fermented as whole bunches in a seasoned oak vat, while the 115 and G clone were fermented as whole berries with a 4-day cold soak before the start of fermentation. The ferments spent between 10 – 14 days on skins, with gentle mixing throughout that time using gravity. The resulting blend is 15% Whole bunch fermented. All parcels completed malolactic fermentation and were then matured in French oak Barriques (225L) – 20% new, 80% seasoned – for nine months. The wine was not moved and kept in contact with its lees before blending in November. Bottled by gravity. No fining. No filtration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom GM and Head Winemaker at Giant Steps, Melanie Chest, “We have intentionally delayed the release to give the wines the time they deserved to express the purity of the vintage,” Chester notes. “I am so happy we made that choice—the wines are singing as we head into their release in August. Thanks for your patience, as I know many of you look forward each year to the new bottles from your favourite vineyards. We are especially excited that this release features our first expressions from Bastard Hill and highlights the stunning 2023 vintage. We hope you love the wines are much as we do.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Giant Steps team are totally rapt after being named Winery of the Year and the 2023 Applejack Pinot Noir Best Pinot Noir at the 2025 Halliday Companion Awards. “It’s really wonderful to see the dedication and hard work of our entire Giant Steps team acknowledged in such a profound way,” says Melanie Chester. Giant Steps have an unwavering commitment to create pure and finessed wines that tell the stories of their vertiginous sites. Giant Steps vineyards have some of, if not the most exciting vineyards in the country.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-id=\"198393b\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-198393b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-widget-container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-id=\"ce42974\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ce42974 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-widget-container\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaker:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince 1997, Giant Steps has built a reputation based on expressive wines with purity and finesse out of Yarra Valley. These are wines that reflect individual vineyard sites, located across the Yarra Valley from Tarrawarra to Gladysdale. Giant Steps was founded by wine industry pioneer Phil Sexton, who journeyed from Margaret River to Yarra Valley looking for the ideal site to cultivate pure and finessed Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEventually, Phil found his hallowed ground near Gruyere in the Sexton vineyard, which he planted in 1997 on the steep slopes of the Warramate Ranges. The name comes from John Coltrane's album \"Giant Steps\", which felt like a fitting choice given the steep slopes of the vineyard and Phil's love of jazz. In 2003, Winemaker Steve Flamsteed came aboard, another muso, and the two set about producing a range of iconic Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that express a profound sense of place from six finite sites in Yarra Valley.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelanie Chester, became Head of Winemaking and Viticulture at Giant Steps in 2021, her long-held admiration for the winery comes with an intrinsic pressure to honour the expressions and diversity of its single sites. Mel, says she is \"committed to ensuring that the quality will be the same if not better.” This means keeping the winemaking tight and transparent, so that diversity of site is what you taste. Giant Steps has been advancing Australia’s reputation for cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for the past 20 years, the addition of Mel's craft and energy will ensure this legacy continues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe proof in the pudding. Giant Steps was awarded 2025 Halliday Winery of the Year and Pinot Noir of the Year. A huge achievement that's been years in the making. Of course Mel takes none of the credit (the best seldom do), instead she props up everyone involved until now, founder Phil Sexton, winemaker Steve Flamsteed, grower Lou Primavera and respected viticulturist Ray Guerin. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrue, there's much to celebrate at Giant Steps, and it's impossible not to mention the new(-ish) Bastard Hill Vineyard release among them. Wine journalist, Campbell Mattinson paints a colourful gist of the site, \"the Bastard Hill vineyard, named for obvious reasons, has been left to sleep out there on its steep mountain slopes as the bastard child of the companies formerly known as Hardy’s. As a result this should-be-great vineyard has been left out there in the cold, hidden away, myth-like, talked about but not seen, and rarely tasted, like a giant, an unlikely giant, a sleeping one.\" This vineyard of untapped protentional, is in the upper reaches of the Yarra Valley, planted in 1986, a vineyard too ahead of its time. Until now this nearly 40 years old vineyard had only shown glimpses of greatness, contributing to Eileen Hardy's chardonnay in the 90s and top Yarra Burn releases, only glimpses but more than enough to know the 'Bastard' would be worth the effort.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVineyard:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2023 was a small, high-quality vintage in the Yarra Valley. The season was defined by a cool Spring, a mild growing season, cool nights, and medium to high rainfall. 2023 was one of the coolest and latest harvests on record, with their first pick starting two and a half weeks later than the previous average. The grapes in 2023 had lovely fruit concentration with bright natural acidities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter discovering the Yarra Valley wines 25 years ago, Lou Primavera planted this vineyard in Hoddles Creek in 2001. Located in Woori Yallock sitting at 240 metres. Comprised mostly of fed clay loam with a north and north-east facing slopes. Giant Steps have a long-standing relationship with the Primavera family, having sourced fruit from the vineyard from 2006. This small vineyard has Pinot planted on two slopes of the gully right at the start of the Lone Star Creek – with MV6 planted on north slope and 115 and G-clone on south slope. This vineyard always produced their most floral, red fruited and fragrant Pinot Noir, with a sweetness and softness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNose - Strawberry Compote, Tamarillo, Sage\u003cbr\u003eTheir floral, red fruited and fragrant Pinot Noir. Strawberry compote, tamarillo, sage and rose petals. Smoky Reduction notes too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePalate - Graphite, Red Fruited, Plush Feel\u003cbr\u003eThe palate is succulent and plush with silky tannins. Fleshy fruit sweetness, supple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinish - Juicy Finish, Succulent Tannins, Floral Infections\u003cbr\u003eCan be enjoyed now, fresh and energising. Lifted floral and red fruit finish. Very appealing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFrom Lou Primavera’s 2001-planted vineyard at Woori Yallock; 15% whole bunches and matured in French barriques (25% new). A light, bright crimson. Aromas of strawberry compote, tamarillo, sage and rose petals. A little reduction and graphite too. The palate is succulent and plush with silky tannins, making this the yummo, drink-now, single-vineyard wine from Giant Steps in ‘23. - \u003cstrong\u003eHalliday Wine Companion, 96 Points.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Primavera vineyard is a proven performer and again it’s on the money here. This is floral and lifted as an introduction but there’s substance to the palate, in pure fruit terms, and there’s a thicker roll to the tannin too. The herb notes here come smoked, the cherry-berry flavours given a meaty edge, the earthen characters brightened by tangerine acidity. Musk-like oak curls seamlessly within, and the finish is impressively sustained.\u003cstrong\u003e - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, 95 Points.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eStyle - Red Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Pinot Noir\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2023\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13.2%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41230992375895,"sku":"GSPVPN23","price":94.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/gspnprimaveranv.jpg?v=1725498535"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-sexton-vineyard-pinot-noir-2023","title":"Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Information:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA more powerful offering, with more spice and brood. The Sexton Pinot Noir has a lovely texture, with dark cherries and plums, sweet spice notes and youthful tannins. A great contrast to the more delicate Primavera and Bastard Hill Pinot Noirs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the winemaking, it begins with handpicked fruit, then fermented in a combination of small oak fermenters and stainless-steel open vats. The MV6 parcels were fermented as whole bunches, while the remaining clones were destemmed to whole berries and cold soaked for four days before fermentation started. The resulting blend is 21% whole bunch fermented. All parcels were matured in French oak – 25% new, 75% seasoned – for 10 months in 225L barriques predominately Taransaud and Dargaud \u0026amp; Jaeglé. The wine was not moved and kept in contact with its lees before blending in December. Bottled by gravity. No fining. No filtration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom GM and Head Winemaker at Giant Steps, Melanie Chest, “We have intentionally delayed the release to give the wines the time they deserved to express the purity of the vintage,” Chester notes. “I am so happy we made that choice - the wines are singing as we head into their release in August. Thanks for your patience, as I know many of you look forward each year to the new bottles from your favourite vineyards. We are especially excited that this release features our first expressions from Bastard Hill and highlights the stunning 2023 vintage. We hope you love the wines are much as we do.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Giant Steps team are totally rapt after being named Winery of the Year and the 2023 Applejack Pinot Noir Best Pinot Noir at the 2025 Halliday Companion Awards. “It’s really wonderful to see the dedication and hard work of our entire Giant Steps team acknowledged in such a profound way,” says Melanie Chester. Giant Steps have an unwavering commitment to create pure and finessed wines that tell the stories of their vertiginous sites. Giant Steps vineyards have some of, if not the most exciting vineyards in the country.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-198393b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"198393b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-widget-container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ce42974 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ce42974\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-widget-container\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaker:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince 1997, Giant Steps has built a reputation based on expressive wines with purity and finesse out of Yarra Valley. These are wines that reflect individual vineyard sites, located across the Yarra Valley from Tarrawarra to Gladysdale. Giant Steps was founded by wine industry pioneer Phil Sexton, who journeyed from Margaret River to Yarra Valley looking for the ideal site to cultivate pure and finessed Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEventually, Phil found his hallowed ground near Gruyere in the Sexton vineyard, which he planted in 1997 on the steep slopes of the Warramate Ranges. The name comes from John Coltrane's album \"Giant Steps\", which felt like a fitting choice given the steep slopes of the vineyard and Phil's love of jazz. In 2003, Winemaker Steve Flamsteed came aboard, another muso, and the two set about producing a range of iconic Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that express a profound sense of place from six finite sites in Yarra Valley.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelanie Chester, became Head of Winemaking and Viticulture at Giant Steps in 2021, her long-held admiration for the winery comes with an intrinsic pressure to honour the expressions and diversity of its single sites. Mel, says she is \"committed to ensuring that the quality will be the same if not better.” This means keeping the winemaking tight and transparent, so that diversity of site is what you taste. Giant Steps has been advancing Australia’s reputation for cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for the past 20 years, the addition of Mel's craft and energy will ensure this legacy continues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe proof in the pudding. Giant Steps was awarded 2025 Halliday Winery of the Year and Pinot Noir of the Year. A huge achievement that's been years in the making. Of course Mel takes none of the credit (the best seldom do), instead she props up everyone involved until now, founder Phil Sexton, winemaker Steve Flamsteed, grower Lou Primavera and respected viticulturist Ray Guerin. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVineyard:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2023 was a small, high-quality vintage in the Yarra Valley. The season was defined by a cool Spring, a mild growing season, cool nights, and medium to high rainfall. 2023 was one of the coolest and latest harvests on record, with their first pick starting two and a half weeks later than the previous average. The grapes in 2023 had lovely fruit concentration with bright natural acidities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLocated on the steep slopes of the Warramate Ranges (Gruyere), the Sexton Vineyard sits between 130 - 210 metres, and is one of the most revered pockets of the Valley. Being well up the Range’s north-facing slopes, topsoil is thin and root systems have established themselves in shallow gravelly loams above a tough, rocky clay base. Bunch yields set naturally low in this environment, resulting in intensely flavoured fruit with high skin to juice ratio. The clonal selection of Pinot Noir off this site includes the G5V15 clone, which responds well to the warmer conditions and sunlight exposure to produce juicy and plush wines. The Pinot Noir produced from Sexton have a lovely texture, with dark cherries and plums, sweet spice notes and youthful tannins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNose - Kirsch, Dark Cherries, Sweet Spice\u003cbr\u003eAromas of kirsch, damson plums, licorice root and spices. Heady.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePalate - Concentrated, Damson Plums, Toasty Oak Spices\u003cbr\u003eA concentrated wine has a lot of meat on the bones, with luxurious texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinish - Persistent Tannins, Dense, Licorice Roots\u003cbr\u003eA powerful wine, with ripe, persistent tannins boding well for the future. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFrom the Sexton vineyard in Gruyere; 10% whole bunches and matured nine months in French barriques (25% new). A deep ruby. Aromas of kirsch, damson plums, licorice root and spices; this heady, concentrated wine has a lot of meat on the bones, with ripe, persistent tannins boding well for the future. A great contrast to the more delicate Giant Steps wines such as Bastard Hill and Primavera. - \u003cstrong\u003eHalliday Wine Companion, 97 Points.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIt might be north-facing and exposed but there’s a coolness to this release. It tastes of forest berries and boysenberries with toast and sprays of alpine herbs. It’s not overtly minty but it has that cooling feel. There’s a sweetness to the spice and a general impression of completeness, the latter aided by a full suite of ripe, grainy, meaty tannin. The finish of this wine has a fan to it; forever quality’s best marker.\u003cstrong\u003e - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, 94+ Points.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eStyle - Red Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Pinot Noir\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2023\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13.5%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41231032975447,"sku":"GSSXPN23","price":94.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/gssextonpnnv.jpg?v=1725501054"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-coal-river-pinot-noir-2023","title":"Giant Steps Coal River Pinot Noir 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Information:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA world apart from Yarra's terroir. Coal River vineyard has produced a very polished wine, everything is dialled up to give a sense of luxury. The depth of fruit, quality oak, even the velvety feel of the tannin. The palate is sumptuous and smooth, a nice volume to the fruit in this wine and tannin, without any hard edges. Top notch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHandpicked, straight into a refrigerated container parked on the vineyard. The fruit is then immediately driven to Devonport and sailed across Bass Strait to arrive at the winery in Healesville the following morning. Fruit was destemmed and cold soaked for three – four days in open oak vats and open stainless-steel fermenters. The MV6 (from the rockiest soils at the top of the hill) was fermented as whole bunches in an oak fermenter. Both parcels were matured in French oak – 25% new, 75% seasoned – for eight months in 225L barriques D\u0026amp;J, Vicard and Taransaud. Bottled by gravity. No fining. No filtration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom GM and Head Winemaker at Giant Steps, Melanie Chest, “We have intentionally delayed the release to give the wines the time they deserved to express the purity of the vintage,” Chester notes. “I am so happy we made that choice—the wines are singing as we head into their release in August. Thanks for your patience, as I know many of you look forward each year to the new bottles from your favourite vineyards. We are especially excited that this release features our first expressions from Bastard Hill and highlights the stunning 2023 vintage. We hope you love the wines are much as we do.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Giant Steps team are totally rapt after being named Winery of the Year and the 2023 Applejack Pinot Noir Best Pinot Noir at the 2025 Halliday Companion Awards. “It’s really wonderful to see the dedication and hard work of our entire Giant Steps team acknowledged in such a profound way,” says Melanie Chester. Giant Steps have an unwavering commitment to create pure and finessed wines that tell the stories of their vertiginous sites. Giant Steps vineyards have some of, if not the most exciting vineyards in the country.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-198393b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"198393b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-widget-container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ce42974 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ce42974\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-widget-container\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaker:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince 1997, Giant Steps has built a reputation based on expressive wines with purity and finesse out of Yarra Valley. These are wines that reflect individual vineyard sites, located across the Yarra Valley from Tarrawarra to Gladysdale. Giant Steps was founded by wine industry pioneer Phil Sexton, who journeyed from Margaret River to Yarra Valley looking for the ideal site to cultivate pure and finessed Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEventually, Phil found his hallowed ground near Gruyere in the Sexton vineyard, which he planted in 1997 on the steep slopes of the Warramate Ranges. The name comes from John Coltrane's album \"Giant Steps\", which felt like a fitting choice given the steep slopes of the vineyard and Phil's love of jazz. In 2003, Winemaker Steve Flamsteed came aboard, another muso, and the two set about producing a range of iconic Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that express a profound sense of place from six finite sites in Yarra Valley.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelanie Chester, became Head of Winemaking and Viticulture at Giant Steps in 2021, her long-held admiration for the winery comes with an intrinsic pressure to honour the expressions and diversity of its single sites. Mel, says she is \"committed to ensuring that the quality will be the same if not better.” This means keeping the winemaking tight and transparent, so that diversity of site is what you taste. Giant Steps has been advancing Australia’s reputation for cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for the past 20 years, the addition of Mel's craft and energy will ensure this legacy continues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe proof in the pudding. Giant Steps was awarded 2025 Halliday Winery of the Year and Pinot Noir of the Year. A huge achievement that's been years in the making. Of course Mel takes none of the credit (the best seldom do), instead she props up everyone involved until now, founder Phil Sexton, winemaker Steve Flamsteed, grower Lou Primavera and respected viticulturist Ray Guerin. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVineyard:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2023 season in Tasmania started cold and wet building a solid foundation with strong, healthy and generous bunch numbers. Plant growth was slow due to the cool conditions all the way up until just prior to flowering, when some well-timed heat spurred the vines along. Flowering was late, but consistent. Lots of shoot and crop thinning was done throughout the season, as well as some extensive leaf plucking due to the cool conditions. It was a very mild summer with only a few days reaching over 30 degrees Celsius experienced at the vineyard, which meant a long and slow ripening. The grapes were picked late for their vineyard, coming into the winery late April.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the pursuit of great single vineyard Pinot Noir, they've gone to the farthest southern reaches of the country, to Coal River Valley Tasmania. This vineyard was planted in 1999, it Faces north-east with calcareous \u0026amp; Triassic sandstone soils. The Pinot Noir clones here are Mv6, D5V12. Despite the cool temperatures, the sunlight hours are long and intense, and we are intrigued by the depth of palate and colour that is possible from this landscape. While it is made with the Giant Steps gentle winemaking approach, the result is clearly a world apart in terroir. The Pinot Noir from Nocton vineyard have amazing density and texture, with powerful weight and concentration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNose - Dark Fruit Aromas, Sarsparilla, Smoky Oak\u003cbr\u003eDark fruits, sarsaparilla, violets this is the big personality in the Giant Step's pinot range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePalate - Flamboyant, Rich Balance, Expansive\u003cbr\u003eThere’s some volume to the fruit in this wine, and a volume to the tannin too, though there’s no hardness or excessive dryness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinish - Textured, Bush Spices, Cassis\u003cbr\u003eMuscular tannins ensuring this will be long lived.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFrom the Nocton vineyard in the Coal River Valley. Hand picked into a refrigerated container by 10.30am to make the boat to the mainland; 20% whole bunches, 35% new barriques. A deep crimson purple. With its aromas dark fruits, sarsaparilla, violets and bay leaf, this is the big personality in the Giant Step's pinot range! Equally flamboyant on the palate, which is richly fruited and balanced with ripe, muscular tannins ensuring this will be long lived, too. - \u003cstrong\u003ePhilip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion, 95 Points.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThere’s a flashiness to the fruit, the oak and also – if this is possible – the tannin here. Every component just seems to spread and run like atoms in a cartoon. It’s a foresty wine with smoky oak, nail polish, bush spices and purple flower characters on exuberant show. There’s some volume to the fruit in this wine, and a volume to the tannin too, though there’s no hardness or excessive dryness. Wild in a controlled way, you’d call it. It’s also expansive, and that’s what makes the quality feel so high. - \u003cstrong\u003eCampbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, 95 Points.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStyle - Red Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Pinot Noir\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Coal River Valley, Tasmania\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2023\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13.5%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41231065808983,"sku":"GSCRPN22","price":99.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/gscoalriverpinot.jpg?v=1725503607"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-bastard-hill-vineyard-chardonnay-2023","title":"Giant Steps Bastard Hill Vineyard Chardonnay 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Information:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is Giant Steps' debut release of Bastard Hill Vineyard Chardonnay. A site regarded as one of the great Chardonnay vineyards of Australia, and until now no one had been brave enough to harness its potential. An Aussie Chardonnay that gives premium Burgundy a run for its money. As Halliday writer, Phillip Rich describes, \"incisive, pure and chalky on the palate, this concentrated yet light on its feet wine is reminiscent of good Corton-Charlemagne.\" \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Bastard Hill produces concentrated and rocky wines of purity and focus. Its nose is pristine, with aromas of nashi, pink grapefruit, crushed rock, sea spray. The palate echos this, adding musk and flint characters. Incisive, then eased with a textural creaminess. Stellar. Be among the first to secure this ultra exclusive drop. We are lucky to have it, and with the way it's drinking... you will be too. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor winemaking, it starts completely handpicked and gently whole bunch pressed, juice transferred to barrel by gravity with no settling. Fermentation in 500L French puncheons, some of which went through malolactic fermentation (25%). Maturation for 9 months in used French oak – 25% 2nd use and 75% seasoned, Mercurey, Taransaud and Dargaud \u0026amp; Jaeglé.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eTo provide a bit of context to the hype of Bastard Hill, we turn to Wine journalist, Campbell Mattinson for explanation, \"the Bastard Hill vineyard, named for obvious reasons, has been left to sleep out there on its steep mountain slopes as the bastard child of the companies formerly known as Hardy’s. As a result this should-be-great vineyard has been left out there in the cold, hidden away, myth-like, talked about but not seen, and rarely tasted, like a giant, an unlikely giant, a sleeping one.\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis vineyard tells a story untapped protentional, sitting in the upper reaches of the Yarra Valley, planted in 1986, a vineyard too ahead of its time. Until now this nearly 40 years old vineyard had only shown glimpses of greatness, contributing to Eileen Hardy's chardonnay in the 90s and top Yarra Burn releases, only glimpses but more than enough to know the 'Bastard' would be worth the effort.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom GM and Head Winemaker at Giant Steps, Melanie Chest, “We have intentionally delayed the release to give the wines the time they deserved to express the purity of the vintage,” Chester notes. “I am so happy we made that choice—the wines are singing as we head into their release in August. Thanks for your patience, as I know many of you look forward each year to the new bottles from your favourite vineyards. We are especially excited that this release features our first expressions from Bastard Hill and highlights the stunning 2023 vintage. We hope you love the wines are much as we do.\" \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-198393b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"198393b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-widget-container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ce42974 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ce42974\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-widget-container\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaker:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince 1997, Giant Steps has built a reputation based on expressive wines with purity and finesse out of Yarra Valley. These are wines that reflect individual vineyard sites, located across the Yarra Valley from Tarrawarra to Gladysdale. Giant Steps was founded by wine industry pioneer Phil Sexton, who journeyed from Margaret River to Yarra Valley looking for the ideal site to cultivate pure and finessed Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEventually, Phil found his hallowed ground near Gruyere in the Sexton vineyard, which he planted in 1997 on the steep slopes of the Warramate Ranges. The name comes from John Coltrane's album \"Giant Steps\", which felt like a fitting choice given the steep slopes of the vineyard and Phil's love of jazz. In 2003, Winemaker Steve Flamsteed came aboard, another muso, and the two set about producing a range of iconic Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that express a profound sense of place from six finite sites in Yarra Valley.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelanie Chester, became Head of Winemaking and Viticulture at Giant Steps in 2021, her long-held admiration for the winery comes with an intrinsic pressure to honour the expressions and diversity of its single sites. Mel, says she is \"committed to ensuring that the quality will be the same if not better.” This means keeping the winemaking tight and transparent, so that diversity of site is what you taste. Giant Steps has been advancing Australia’s reputation for cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for the past 20 years, the addition of Mel's craft and energy will ensure this legacy continues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe proof in the pudding. Giant Steps was awarded 2025 Halliday Winery of the Year and Pinot Noir of the Year. A huge achievement that's been years in the making. Of course Mel takes none of the credit (the best seldom do), instead she props up everyone involved until now, founder Phil Sexton, winemaker Steve Flamsteed, grower Lou Primavera and respected viticulturist Ray Guerin. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrue, there's much to celebrate at Giant Steps, and it's impossible not to mention the new(-ish) Bastard Hill Vineyard release among them. Wine journalist, Campbell Mattinson paints a colourful gist of the site, \"the Bastard Hill vineyard, named for obvious reasons, has been left to sleep out there on its steep mountain slopes as the bastard child of the companies formerly known as Hardy’s. As a result this should-be-great vineyard has been left out there in the cold, hidden away, myth-like, talked about but not seen, and rarely tasted, like a giant, an unlikely giant, a sleeping one.\" This vineyard of untapped protentional, is in the upper reaches of the Yarra Valley, planted in 1986, a vineyard too ahead of its time. Until now this nearly 40 years old vineyard had only shown glimpses of greatness, contributing to Eileen Hardy's chardonnay in the 90s and top Yarra Burn releases, only glimpses but more than enough to know the 'Bastard' would be worth the effort.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVineyard:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSituated in the Upper Yarra Valley in the sub-region of Gladysdale, Bastard Hill is a 31-hectare property with 13-hectares (32 acres) of vines, planted exclusively to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The vineyard’s expressive name is derived from its steep slope and high altitude, ranging in elevation from 300-400m. Bastard Hill is a celebrated site planted in the late 1980s by viticultural legend Ray Guerin. Dedicated initially to the production of super-premium sparkling wine, the site was quickly recognized for its potential to produce top quality still wines, releasing the Bastard Hill Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines in the 1990s. Regarded as one of the great Chardonnay sites in Australia, the 2023 vintage is GS' first release in the Giant Steps portfolio. We find Bastard Hill produces concentrated and rocky wines of purity and focus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNose - Pure, Pink Grapefruit, Crushed Rock\u003cbr\u003eIt showed a bit of cedarwood oak. Then a brilliant and pure scented bouquet of nashi, pink grapefruit, crushed rock, sea spray and honeysuckle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePalate - Nashi Pear, Creaminess, Sea Spray\u003cbr\u003eThis wine has flavours of grapefruit, chalk, lemon and pear, with musk and sea-spray characters driven within.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinish - Lemon, Chalk, Flint\u003cbr\u003eIt has genuine, penetrative momentum, tempered by a gentle, textural creaminess. Flint is not part of the Giant Steps style but there’s a smidgen of it here, just enough to complex.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"award-description\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ePlanted in 1987 in Gladysdale at 400m by the trailblazing Ray Guerin for Hardys and purchased by Giant Steps in 2022. This is its first wine from the vineyard. And what a wine it is! A brilliant and pure scented bouquet of nashi, pink grapefruit, crushed rock, sea spray and honeysuckle. There's a hint of fresh honeycomb, too. Incisive, pure and chalky on the palate, this concentrated yet light on its feet wine is reminiscent of good Corton-Charlemagne. That it will age gracefully is a given. - \u003cstrong\u003ePhilip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion, 98 Points.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"award-date-description\"\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"award-date-description\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe other reason I’m excited about the addition of this vineyard to the Giant Steps range is that I tasted this chardonnay, blind, in a tasting earlier this year, and loved it. i.e. I love what this wine shows in the glass. All the Giant Steps single vineyard wines will be released on August 21. I’ll run through the remainder of them all prior to that date. I just wanted to jump on this Bastard Hill Chardonnay 2023. It’s intense, it’s bony, and it’s long. It’s very Upper Yarra. It showed a bit of cedarwood oak when I first opened it, as in a bit too much, but once it had been allowed to breathe it seemed precisely in balance. This wine tastes of grapefruit and chalk, lemon and pear, with musk and sea-spray characters driven within. It has genuine, penetrative momentum, tempered by a gentle, textural creaminess. Flint is not part of the Giant Steps style but there’s a smidgen of it here, just enough to complex. This chardonnay is nothing if not a wine for the cellar. It doesn’t want you to flirt with it; it wants you to invest. - \u003cstrong\u003eCampbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, 96 Points.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eStyle - White Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Chardonnay\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2023\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41231135506519,"sku":"GSBHVCH23","price":89.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/gsbh2023.jpg?v=1725505912"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-bastard-hill-vineyard-pinot-noir-2023","title":"Giant Steps Bastard Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Information:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eAside from being named Winery of the Year, with the 2023 Applejack Pinot Noir winning Best Pinot Noir at the 2025 Halliday Companion Awards. Perhaps most worthy of celebration is Giant Steps' debut and long overdue release of Bastard Hill Chardonnay and this 2023 Pinot Noir. \u003c\/span\u003eThis is an elegant and perfumed Pinot Noir with exotic red fruit and Bergamot aromas. The 2023 vintage marks our first release of this vineyard in the Giant Steps portfolio.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eTo provide a bit of context to the hype of Bastard Hill, we turn to Wine journalist, Campbell Mattinson for explanation, \"the Bastard Hill vineyard, named for obvious reasons, has been left to sleep out there on its steep mountain slopes as the bastard child of the companies formerly known as Hardy’s. As a result this should-be-great vineyard has been left out there in the cold, hidden away, myth-like, talked about but not seen, and rarely tasted, like a giant, an unlikely giant, a sleeping one.\" \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis vineyard tells a story untapped protentional, sitting in the upper reaches of the Yarra Valley, planted in 1986, a vineyard too ahead of its time. Until now this nearly 40 years old vineyard had only shown glimpses of greatness, contributing to Eileen Hardy's chardonnay in the 90s and top Yarra Burn releases, only glimpses but more than enough to know the 'Bastard' would be worth the effort.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom GM and Head Winemaker at Giant Steps, Melanie Chest, “We have intentionally delayed the release to give the wines the time they deserved to express the purity of the vintage,” Chester notes. “I am so happy we made that choice—the wines are singing as we head into their release in August. Thanks for your patience, as I know many of you look forward each year to the new bottles from your favourite vineyards. We are especially excited that this release features our first expressions from Bastard Hill and highlights the stunning 2023 vintage. We hope you love the wines are much as we do.\" The 2023 Bastard Hill Pinot Noir, is either sold out or unavailable elsewhere. Be quick with this ultra exclusive release.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-198393b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"198393b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-widget-container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ce42974 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ce42974\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-widget-container\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaker:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince 1997, Giant Steps has built a reputation based on expressive wines with purity and finesse out of Yarra Valley. These are wines that reflect individual vineyard sites, located across the Yarra Valley from Tarrawarra to Gladysdale. Giant Steps was founded by wine industry pioneer Phil Sexton, who journeyed from Margaret River to Yarra Valley looking for the ideal site to cultivate pure and finessed Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEventually, Phil found his hallowed ground near Gruyere in the Sexton vineyard, which he planted in 1997 on the steep slopes of the Warramate Ranges. The name comes from John Coltrane's album \"Giant Steps\", which felt like a fitting choice given the steep slopes of the vineyard and Phil's love of jazz. In 2003, Winemaker Steve Flamsteed came aboard, another muso, and the two set about producing a range of iconic Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that express a profound sense of place from six finite sites in Yarra Valley.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelanie Chester, became Head of Winemaking and Viticulture at Giant Steps in 2021, her long-held admiration for the winery comes with an intrinsic pressure to honour the expressions and diversity of its single sites. Mel, says she is \"committed to ensuring that the quality will be the same if not better.” This means keeping the winemaking tight and transparent, so that diversity of site is what you taste. Giant Steps has been advancing Australia’s reputation for cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for the past 20 years, the addition of Mel's craft and energy will ensure this legacy continues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe proof in the pudding. Giant Steps was awarded 2025 Halliday Winery of the Year and Pinot Noir of the Year. A huge achievement that's been years in the making. Of course Mel takes none of the credit (the best seldom do), instead she props up everyone involved until now, founder Phil Sexton, winemaker Steve Flamsteed, grower Lou Primavera and respected viticulturist Ray Guerin. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVineyard:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2023 was a small, high-quality vintage in the Yarra Valley. The season was defined by a cool Spring, a mild growing season, cool nights, and medium to high rainfall. 2023 was one of the coolest and latest harvests on record, with our first pick starting two and a half weeks later than the previous average. The grapes in 2023 had lovely fruit concentration with bright natural acidities.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSituated in the Upper Yarra Valley in the sub-region of Gladysdale, Bastard Hill is a 31-hectare property with 13-hectares (32 acres) of vines, planted exclusively to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The vineyard’s expressive name is derived from its steep slope and high altitude, ranging in elevation from 300-400m. Bastard Hill is a celebrated site planted in the late 1980s by viticultural legend Ray Guerin. Dedicated initially to the production of super-premium sparkling wine, the site was quickly recognized for its potential to produce top quality still wines, releasing the Bastard Hill Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines in the 1990s. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNose - Rose Garden, Exotic Red Fruit, Bergamot\u003cbr\u003eElegant and perfumed Pinot Noir, like rose garden, plus exotic red fruit and Bergamot aromas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePalate - Sour Cherries, Blood Oranges, Sweet \u0026amp; Savoury Spices\u003cbr\u003ePoised, elegant and persistent, this flows mellifluously across the palate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinish - Fine, Silken Tannins, Orange Peel\u003cbr\u003eDriven as much by its fine vein of acidity as its silken tannins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ww-product-award ProductAward-sc-1rmhgjw-1 dgvnfB\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"award-details\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"award-description\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eMade with 20% whole bunches. All D clones. Matured in barriques (20% new). 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. A classic Upper Yarra pinot, driven as much by its fine vein of acidity as its silken tannins. - \u003cstrong\u003ePhilip Rich, Wine Companion, 97 Points.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"award-description\"\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"award-description\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe addition of the Bastard Hill vineyard to the Giant Steps fold is an exciting one. The market seems to agree – pre-sales of the Giant Steps single vineyard range are flying. This range is formally released on August 21, 2024. This is a cool, light, structured Pinot Noir, savoury in part, herbal in others, but lifted and bright with fruit. It tastes of alpine herbs and forest berries, undergrowth and cedar, the tannin dry and velvety at once. It’s good now but it will be significantly better once it’s had time to grow into itself some more.\u003cstrong\u003e - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, 93+ Points.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eStyle - Red Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Pinot Noir\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2023\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13%\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41231169945687,"sku":"GSBHVPN23","price":99.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/gsbhpnnv.jpg?v=1725507313"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-yarra-valley-rose-2023","title":"Giant Steps Yarra Valley Rose 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Information:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAll the perfume and beauty of Provence are reflected in this delightful Rosé, made from early-picked Yarra Valley Pinot Noir and Syrah sourced from the Sexton and Tarraford vineyards. Gently pressed and carefully crafted, the result is a Rosé that is deliciously refreshing—perfect for drinking now. Why wait?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHand-picked and whole bunch pressed, only the fresh free-run juice was used. The clear juice was then racked to a stainless-steel tank for a long, cool fermentation before being matured on ferment lees until bottling in July.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiant Steps' GM and Head Winemaker, Melanie Chester, shares, \"We intentionally delayed the release to give the wines the time they deserved to express the purity of the vintage. I’m so happy we made that choice—the wines are singing as we head into their release in August. Thanks for your patience, as I know many of you look forward to these bottles each year. This release is particularly exciting, as it features our first expressions from Bastard Hill and highlights the stunning 2023 vintage. We hope you love the wines as much as we do.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe team at Giant Steps is elated after being named \u003cem\u003eWinery of the Year\u003c\/em\u003e and seeing their 2023 Applejack Pinot Noir win \u003cem\u003eBest Pinot Noir\u003c\/em\u003e at the 2025 Halliday Companion Awards. “It’s really wonderful to see the dedication and hard work of our entire Giant Steps team acknowledged in such a profound way,” says Chester. The winery remains committed to producing pure, finessed wines that tell the stories of their incredible vineyard sites—some of the most exciting in the country.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-198393b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"198393b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-widget-container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ce42974 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ce42974\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-widget-container\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaker:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSince its founding in 1997, Giant Steps has built a strong reputation for producing expressive wines that showcase purity and finesse, all from the Yarra Valley. The winery’s philosophy revolves around capturing the essence of individual vineyard sites scattered across the region, from Tarrawarra to Gladysdale. Founded by wine industry pioneer Phil Sexton, who travelled from Margaret River to the Yarra Valley in search of the perfect location for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Giant Steps has become one of Australia's leading producers of cool-climate wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSexton found his ideal site near Gruyere at the steeply sloped Sexton vineyard, which he planted in 1997. The winery’s name, inspired by John Coltrane's iconic album \"Giant Steps,\" reflects the challenging topography of the vineyard and Sexton’s love of jazz. In 2003, winemaker Steve Flamsteed, a fellow jazz enthusiast, joined the team, and together they developed a range of iconic Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that express the character of six distinct vineyard sites across the Yarra Valley.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2021, Melanie Chester took on the role of Head of Winemaking and Viticulture at Giant Steps. Her long-standing admiration for the winery comes with the responsibility of honouring the diversity and unique expressions of each vineyard site. Chester is committed to ensuring the quality of the wines remains exceptional, if not better. By keeping the winemaking process tight and transparent, she allows the vineyards to speak through the wines. Giant Steps has been at the forefront of Australia’s reputation for cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for over two decades, and under Chester’s guidance, this legacy is set to continue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVineyard:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2023 was a small, high-quality vintage in the Yarra Valley. The season was defined by a cool Spring, a mild growing season, cool nights, and medium to high rainfall. 2023 was one of the coolest and latest harvests on record, with their first pick starting two and a half weeks later than the previous average. The grapes in 2023 had lovely fruit concentration with bright natural acidities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLocated on the steep slopes of the Warramate Ranges (Gruyere), the Sexton Vineyard sits between 130 - 210 metres, and is one of the most revered pockets of the Valley. Being well up the Range’s north-facing slopes, topsoil is thin and root systems have established themselves in shallow gravelly loams above a tough, rocky clay base. Bunch yields set naturally low in this environment, resulting in intensely flavoured fruit with high skin to juice ratio. The clonal selection of Pinot Noir off this site includes the G5V15 clone, which responds well to the warmer conditions and sunlight exposure to produce juicy and plush wines. The Pinot Noir produced from Sexton have a lovely texture, with dark cherries and plums, sweet spice notes and youthful tannins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong the most exciting developments for Giant Steps is the inclusion of Bastard Hill Vineyard in the latest release. As wine journalist Campbell Mattinson explains, \"The Bastard Hill vineyard, named for obvious reasons, was once the forgotten child of a major wine company, left to sleep on its steep slopes like a myth or legend.\" Planted in 1986, this vineyard was ahead of its time, contributing to notable releases in the 1990s but never fully realising its potential—until now. Nearly 40 years later, Bastard Hill Vineyard is showing its true greatness, and Giant Steps is thrilled to showcase it as part of their 2023 release.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNose - Musk, Strawberry Cream, Citrusy\u003cbr\u003eIt has an exotic, warm, spice-filled bouquet with musk and strawberry cream flavours.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePalate - Savoury, Peachy, Spice\u003cbr\u003eIn a good zone of savoury, dry and fruity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinish - Flinty, Cherry, Dry Fragrant Finish\u003cbr\u003eLight to medium-weight, some richer tones through the middle-palate, with racy acid. Good length.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eStyle - Red Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Pinot Noir, Shiraz\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2023\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV - 12%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41312092291159,"sku":"GSYVROSE","price":28.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/giant-steps-yarra-valley-rose-2023.jpg?v=1728616607"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-yarra-valley-rose-2024","title":"Giant Steps Yarra Valley Rosé 2025","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Giant Steps Rosé is a deliciously refreshing wine made from early-picked Yarra Valley Pinot Noir and Syrah, sourced from the renowned Sexton and Tarraford vineyards. Only the free-run juice is used, which is the purest juice that flows naturally from the weight of the grapes before pressing—a technique known as \u003cem\u003evin de goutte\u003c\/em\u003e (noble juice) in French. This results in a Rosé that is both vibrant and flavourful, showcasing the true expression of these exceptional varieties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit was hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed, with only the fresh, free-run juice selected. The clear juice was then racked into stainless-steel tanks for a long, cool fermentation before being matured on ferment lees until bottling in July. The result is a refreshing Rosé with bright, invigorating flavours that make it perfect for enjoying year-round.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe team at Giant Steps is celebrating after being named Winery of the Year, and their 2023 Applejack Pinot Noir was awarded Best Pinot Noir at the 2025 Halliday Companion Awards. “It’s truly wonderful to see the dedication and hard work of our entire Giant Steps team acknowledged in such a profound way,” says winemaker Steve Flamsteed. Giant Steps continues to craft wines that reflect the purity and finesse of their remarkable vineyard sites, considered some of the most exciting in Australia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-198393b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"198393b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-widget-container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ce42974 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ce42974\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementor-widget-container\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaker: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince its founding in 1997, Giant Steps has built a strong reputation for producing expressive wines that showcase purity and finesse, all from the Yarra Valley. The winery’s philosophy revolves around capturing the essence of individual vineyard sites scattered across the region, from Tarrawarra to Gladysdale. Founded by wine industry pioneer Phil Sexton, who travelled from Margaret River to the Yarra Valley in search of the perfect location for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Giant Steps has become one of Australia's leading producers of cool-climate wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSexton found his ideal site near Gruyere at the steeply sloped Sexton vineyard, which he planted in 1997. The winery’s name, inspired by John Coltrane's iconic album \"Giant Steps,\" reflects the challenging topography of the vineyard and Sexton’s love of jazz. In 2003, winemaker Steve Flamsteed, a fellow jazz enthusiast, joined the team, and together they developed a range of iconic Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that express the character of six distinct vineyard sites across the Yarra Valley.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2021, Melanie Chester took on the role of Head of Winemaking and Viticulture at Giant Steps. Her long-standing admiration for the winery comes with the responsibility of honouring the diversity and unique expressions of each vineyard site. Chester is committed to ensuring the quality of the wines remains exceptional, if not better. By keeping the winemaking process tight and transparent, she allows the vineyards to speak through the wines. Giant Steps has been at the forefront of Australia’s reputation for cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for over two decades, and under Chester’s guidance, this legacy is set to continue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVineyard:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYarra Valley experienced a wet December\/January growing season was followed by the one of the driest February\/March, these conditions usually mean an earlier harvest. In the region, pickers experienced consistently intense and relentless harvest period. These are truly extraordinary times. In spite of the physical and logistical challenges of the growing season, pickers consistently delivered grapes of outstanding quality, producing small, concentrated berries laden with intense flavour and character across the variety spectrum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLocated on the steep slopes of the Warramate Ranges (Gruyere), the Sexton Vineyard sits between 130 - 210 metres, and is one of the most revered pockets of the Valley. Being well up the Range’s north-facing slopes, topsoil is thin and root systems have established themselves in shallow gravelly loams above a tough, rocky clay base. Bunch yields set naturally low in this environment, resulting in intensely flavoured fruit with high skin to juice ratio. The clonal selection of Pinot Noir off this site includes the G5V15 clone, which responds well to the warmer conditions and sunlight exposure to produce juicy and plush wines. The Pinot Noir produced from Sexton have a lovely texture, with dark cherries and plums, sweet spice notes and youthful tannins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNose - Musk, Strawberry Panna Cotta\u003cbr\u003eIt has an exotic, warm, spice-filled bouquet with musk and strawberry cream flavours.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePalate - Savoury, Nectarines, Spice\u003cbr\u003eIn a good zone of savoury, dry and fruity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinish - Stony, Cherry, Dry Fragrant Finish\u003cbr\u003eLight to medium, some richer tones through the middle-palate, with racy acidity. Moreish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eStyle - Red Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Pinot Noir, Shiraz\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2025\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV - 12%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41324525322327,"sku":"GSYVROSE24","price":28.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/ksc-2024-10-01t1412010531copy.jpg?v=1729554510"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-yarra-valley-pinot-noir-2024","title":"Giant Steps Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2024","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"193\" data-end=\"276\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"193\" data-end=\"217\"\u003eProduct Description:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem data-start=\"218\" data-end=\"276\"\u003eYour ticket to top-tier Yarra Pinot without the splurge.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"278\" data-end=\"620\"\u003eThe 2024 Giant Steps Yarra Valley Pinot Noir is a masterclass in regional expression—bright, precise, and irresistibly drinkable. Sourced from across the valley, with a strong showing from the cool, high-altitude Upper Yarra vineyards, it’s crafted with the same focus as the acclaimed single vineyard series, just in a more accessible frame.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"622\" data-end=\"933\"\u003eThe vintage was fast-moving and compact, with all the fruit picked in just a few weeks. That intensity comes through in the glass: lifted aromatics, vivid fruit and a striking natural balance. Whole bunches bring subtle grip and savoury detail to a wine driven by red cherry, wild strawberry and delicate spice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"935\" data-end=\"1068\"\u003eVersatile and cellar-worthy (if you can resist it), this Pinot is all silk and shape—ideal for duck, mushroom risotto or charcuterie.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1070\" data-end=\"1087\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1070\" data-end=\"1087\"\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1089\" data-end=\"1201\"\u003eNOSE\u003cbr data-start=\"1093\" data-end=\"1096\"\u003e – Bright and lifted\u003cbr data-start=\"1115\" data-end=\"1118\"\u003e Wild strawberry, cherry, and pink pepper with a flick of spice and stemmy crunch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1203\" data-end=\"1298\"\u003ePALATE\u003cbr data-start=\"1209\" data-end=\"1212\"\u003e – Silky and supple\u003cbr data-start=\"1230\" data-end=\"1233\"\u003e Juicy red fruit glides across the palate with polish and poise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1300\" data-end=\"1387\"\u003eFINISH\u003cbr data-start=\"1306\" data-end=\"1309\"\u003e – Fine and savoury\u003cbr data-start=\"1327\" data-end=\"1330\"\u003e Earthy tannin trails out in a gentle, satisfying close.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1389\" data-end=\"1826\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1389\" data-end=\"1412\"\u003eReviews \u0026amp; Accolades\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1412\" data-end=\"1415\"\u003e \u003cem data-start=\"1415\" data-end=\"1764\"\u003e“A very bright crimson purple. Pretty and complex with aromas of red cherry skins and rhubarb together with some pink peppercorn spice and a light savoury edge. More approachable than the '23. As a young wine, the medium-bodied palate is spicy, silky and long. It'll probably age well but it's so good to drink now that there's no need to bother!”\u003c\/em\u003e – \u003cstrong data-start=\"1767\" data-end=\"1782\"\u003ePhilip Rich\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cem data-start=\"1784\" data-end=\"1809\"\u003eHalliday Wine Companion\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cstrong data-start=\"1811\" data-end=\"1824\"\u003e95 Points\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eStyle - Red Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Pinot Noir\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2024\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13.5%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41808998105175,"sku":"GSYVPN","price":36.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/d56278f9-4775-4e14-bf10-c343ec50105e.jpg?v=1753330001"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-yarra-valley-chardonnay-2024","title":"Giant Steps Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2024","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"2013\" data-end=\"2114\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2013\" data-end=\"2037\"\u003eProduct Description:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2037\" data-end=\"2040\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"2040\" data-end=\"2114\"\u003eChardonnay done the Giant Steps way—clean, coiled, and quietly powerful. \u003c\/em\u003eThe 2024 Yarra Valley Chardonnay brings together fruit from both the upper and lower reaches of the valley, with a gentle hand in the winery that lets the site do the talking. Pressed as whole bunches, wild fermented in large format French oak (just 15% new), and matured on lees without interference, this wine is all about restraint and precision.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2467\" data-end=\"2783\"\u003eThe cool 2022 vintage delivered small crops but big flavour. Concentration, acidity and structure are all in balance here—ripe orchard fruit, white stone fruit, citrus and blossom meet a touch of flinty reduction and warm spice from the oak. The kind of Chardonnay that’s built for the table, not the trophy cabinet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2785\" data-end=\"2882\"\u003ePair it with barbecued prawns, seared white fish or simply on its own—it more than holds its own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2884\" data-end=\"2901\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2884\" data-end=\"2901\"\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2903\" data-end=\"3020\"\u003eNOSE\u003cbr data-start=\"2907\" data-end=\"2910\"\u003e– Fresh and aromatic\u003cbr data-start=\"2930\" data-end=\"2933\"\u003eWhite peach, grapefruit and orange blossom with hints of matchstick and ginger snaps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3022\" data-end=\"3123\"\u003ePALATE\u003cbr data-start=\"3028\" data-end=\"3031\"\u003e– Concentrated and lithe\u003cbr data-start=\"3055\" data-end=\"3058\"\u003eStone fruit and citrus glide across a finely structured palate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3125\" data-end=\"3227\"\u003eFINISH\u003cbr data-start=\"3131\" data-end=\"3134\"\u003e– Clean and savoury\u003cbr data-start=\"3153\" data-end=\"3156\"\u003eA precise line of acidity lingers with subtle spice and lees texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3229\" data-end=\"3660\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3229\" data-end=\"3252\"\u003eReviews \u0026amp; Accolades\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3252\" data-end=\"3255\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"3255\" data-end=\"3598\"\u003e“An even split of upper and lower Yarra fruit... Pure fruited with an attractive nose of just ripened orchard and stone fruits, pink grapefruit and orange blossom. A hint of matchstick and just-baked ginger snaps. Concentrated and lithe at the same time, Giant Step's calling card is just as good, if not better than the super 2021 release.”\u003c\/em\u003e – \u003cstrong data-start=\"3601\" data-end=\"3616\"\u003ePhilip Rich\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cem data-start=\"3618\" data-end=\"3643\"\u003eHalliday Wine Companion\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cstrong data-start=\"3645\" data-end=\"3658\"\u003e95 Points\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Finer Details\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eStyle - White Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Chardonnay\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2024\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV - 12.8%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41832108851287,"sku":"GSYVCH","price":36.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/giantsteps-yv-chard.jpg?v=1753330779"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-sexton-vineyard-chardonnay-2024","title":"Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Description:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eThe north-facing slopes of the Warramate Ranges give Sexton Chardonnay its unmistakable presence.\u003c\/em\u003e Planted by Phil Sexton in 1997, this vineyard has become one of the Yarra Valley’s defining Chardonnay sites. Thin soils, tough rocky clays and naturally low yields produce fruit of remarkable concentration, built around the famed Gingin and Mendoza clones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2024 vintage was shaped by a classic Yarra Valley season: a cool spring, an even flowering, and a clean, fast ripening period that delivered brightness and precision. In the winery, fruit was hand-picked, whole-bunch pressed and wild-fermented in large French oak puncheons (20% new), with a touch of malolactic fermentation to soften edges. Nine months on lees has brought textural depth without obscuring the vineyard’s drive and clarity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSexton Vineyard Chardonnay sits at the confident heart of Giant Steps’ single-vineyard range. Its character is shaped by site, clone and aspect, delivering a wine that is both open and structured—an expression that balances power with restraint and rewards patient cellaring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e NOSE\u003cbr\u003e – Stone fruit \u0026amp; citrus\u003cbr\u003e Aromas of peach, preserved lemon and lifted citrus, laced with roasted hazelnut and subtle coffee bean.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePALATE\u003cbr\u003e – Tightly coiled power\u003cbr\u003e Concentrated yet finely structured, with citrus and stone fruit depth carried by white tannin grip and vibrant acidity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFINISH\u003cbr\u003e – Saline \u0026amp; enduring\u003cbr\u003e Extremely long and mineral, finishing with a savoury, saline persistence that lingers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviews \u0026amp; Accolades\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003e“Another salivating and seductive Sexton Chardonnay with its bouquet of stone fruits, preserved lemons, freshly ground coffee beans and roasted hazelnut. The beautifully balanced and tightly coiled palate is underpinned by its concentration and intensity. Finishes saline and extremely long. It's all here and needs another five to seven years, at least, to reach its zenith.”\u003c\/em\u003e – Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion, 97 Points (July 2025)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFiner Details:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Style - White Wine\u003cbr\u003e Varietal - Chardonnay\u003cbr\u003e Country - Australia\u003cbr\u003e Region - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003e Vintage - 2024\u003cbr\u003e Bottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003e ABV - 13.2%\u003cbr\u003e Closure - Screwcap\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41957536333911,"sku":"GSSEXVCH-24","price":89.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/56089e55-a179-4d14-bdac-afea6dff458f.jpg?v=1757306687"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-applejack-vineyard-chardonnay-2024","title":"Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Chardonnay 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Description:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eApplejack stands among the most vital Chardonnays in Yarra’s single-vineyard portfolio.\u003c\/em\u003e Planted by Ray Guerin in 1997 on volcanic soils at Gladysdale, this east-facing site rests at 220–320 metres elevation. Soils of grey clay loam over basalt base, combined with cooler ripening and precise canopy management, yield a wine that’s both savoury and taut, yet intensely focused.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2024 vintage, made with 100% hand-harvested, whole-bunch pressed fruit that is wild-fermented in 500 L French oak puncheons, spent up to nine months on lees. This approach allows every nuance of the site to shine—there’s energy and clarity, not weight, and a tension that marks vintage character over winemaking artifice. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApplejack Chardonnay is immediate in energy yet built for several years of tracking, rooted in mineral vibrancy rather than flesh. It reveals itself quietly at first, then steadily grows in presence—an insider’s Chardonnay with line, detail and the promise of deeper rewards to come.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e NOSE\u003cbr\u003e – Savoury \u0026amp; precise\u003cbr\u003e Spiced nectarine, lemon rind, grilled nuts, and pencilly oak hints, carried by bright citrus energy \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePALATE\u003cbr\u003e – Focused \u0026amp; electric\u003cbr\u003e Intensity and compact precision with lemon butter and refreshing acidity, sustained by tight drive and an undercurrent of salinity \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFINISH\u003cbr\u003e – Long \u0026amp; mineral\u003cbr\u003e Lingering vitality, vivid and tensile—marked by cedar spice, creamy passage, and a saline, energised aftertaste \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviews \u0026amp; Accolades\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003e“Light bright yellow in the glass with creamy pastry, spiced nectarine and lemon aromas and flavours, the palate intense and compact, tightly focused and long, with pencilly\/cedary and lemon butter flavours of great energy and vitality, lingering long on the aftertaste. Refreshing acidity. Superb now, even better with a bit more age on it.”\u003c\/em\u003e – Huon Hooke, \u003cem\u003eThe Real Review\u003c\/em\u003e, White Wine of the Year Australia, 98 Points (January 2025).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“96 points — Applejack vineyard was planted at Gladysdale… bright green gold. A pure and gently reticent bouquet of stone fruits, lemon verbena and crushed rocks. The palate is tightly coiled, steely, saline and focused. A wine with excellent potential.”\u003c\/em\u003e – Philip Rich, \u003cem\u003eJames Halliday Wine Companion\u003c\/em\u003e 2025.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“96pts… This is a ripping chardonnay. It has fruit power up its sleeve and in its wrist bands and everywhere else. And yet it’s tight. And stony. Shot with white peach… sweet cedar, brine and the wet leaves of a lemon tree. There’s some dare to the acidity but it brings flavour with it… an advanced level wine.”\u003c\/em\u003e – Campbell Mattinson, \u003cem\u003eThe Wine Front\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFiner Details:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Style - White Wine\u003cbr\u003e Varietal - Chardonnay\u003cbr\u003e Country - Australia\u003cbr\u003e Region - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003e Vintage - 2024\u003cbr\u003e Bottle Size - 750 ml\u003cbr\u003e ABV - 13.3%\u003cbr\u003e Closure - Screwcap\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41957545672791,"sku":"GSAPPVCH-24","price":94.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/f576a02f-1f5e-4095-ae37-111540b64083.jpg?v=1757306883"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-tarraford-vineyard-chardonnay-2024","title":"Giant Steps Tarraford Vineyard Chardonnay 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Description:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eFrom the cool slopes of Tarrawarra comes a Chardonnay of depth and quiet power.\u003c\/em\u003e The Tarraford Vineyard, planted on a sheltered south-facing slope, ripens at a slower pace than many Yarra Valley sites. This cooler microclimate shapes fruit with lifted aromatics, natural tension, and a fine thread of acidity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2024 vintage brings all of this into sharp focus. Fruit was hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed before fermenting wild in large French oak puncheons (27% new), then left on lees for nine months. The result is a Chardonnay with breadth and texture, counterbalanced by line and drive. Where Sexton speaks with openness, Tarraford is more layered—seductive in aroma, creamy on the palate, yet finely etched.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a wine built for both immediacy and short-term cellaring. It shows richness without excess, freshness without austerity. A benchmark example of how site expression defines the Giant Steps single-vineyard range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e NOSE\u003cbr\u003e – Stone fruit \u0026amp; spice\u003cbr\u003e Peach skin, apricot, lemon oil and a touch of vanilla bean.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePALATE\u003cbr\u003e – Creamy precision\u003cbr\u003e Opulent and textural, with richness carried by a fine seam of acidity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFINISH\u003cbr\u003e – Long \u0026amp; savoury\u003cbr\u003e Lingering citrus and stone fruit with a subtle umami edge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviews \u0026amp; Accolades\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003e“Seductive with its bouquet of fuzzy peach skins, apricot, lemon oil and a hint of fresh vanilla bean. Opulent and creamily textured, with a fine vein of acidity running through the wine that gives it both structure and length. Very long and very yum to drink now and in the short to medium term.”\u003c\/em\u003e – Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion, 96 Points (July 2025)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Almond, pear, peach, citrus, floral and spicy notes, with a juicy flow and umami savouriness on the finish. Opulent… drink now while it blossoms beautifully in the glass.”\u003c\/em\u003e – Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, 96 Points (2025)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFiner Details:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Style - White Wine\u003cbr\u003e Varietal - Chardonnay\u003cbr\u003e Country - Australia\u003cbr\u003e Region - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003e Vintage - 2024\u003cbr\u003e Bottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003e ABV - 13.2%\u003cbr\u003e Closure - Screwcap\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41957546197079,"sku":"GSTARVCH-24","price":89.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/48d5d970-0dfa-4684-9135-539d04f079a3.jpg?v=1757307039"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-coal-river-pinot-noir-2024","title":"Giant Steps Coal River Pinot Noir 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Description:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eTasmania’s Coal River Valley brings a darker, more brooding edge to the Giant Steps Pinot family.\u003c\/em\u003e The fruit comes from the Nocton Vineyard, planted in 1999 on calcareous sandstone soils just inland from Hobart. Longer daylight hours and the cool maritime climate shape Pinot Noir with density, structure and an unmistakable savoury line.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2024 harvest was hand-picked in the early morning and transported across Bass Strait to preserve freshness. In the cellar, a mix of whole-bunch and destemmed fruit was fermented before spending eight months in French oak (25% new). The result is a wine that speaks differently to Yarra Valley Pinot—more muscular and deeply fruited, yet still defined by clarity and restraint.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCoal River Pinot Noir is the outlier in the Giant Steps range: rich in dark cherry, cola spice and ferrous earth, framed by fine, long tannins and a cool-climate backbone. It’s a wine of presence and longevity, offering a complementary southern voice to the winery’s Yarra classics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e NOSE\u003cbr\u003e – Dark \u0026amp; lifted\u003cbr\u003e Black cherry, violets and bay leaf, layered with spice, sarsaparilla and woodsmoke.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePALATE\u003cbr\u003e – Structured \u0026amp; savoury\u003cbr\u003e Dense fruit weight of cherry and black tea, with cola spice and undergrowth complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFINISH\u003cbr\u003e – Long \u0026amp; mineral\u003cbr\u003e Fine-grained tannins and saline freshness carry through a long, resonant close.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviews \u0026amp; Accolades\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003e“Less floral, more fruit. This brings the polish, the flavour, the seduction. It offers the freshest of red and black cherries with woodsmoke and cedar running through, a touch of mint maybe, semblances of undergrowth, gorgeous length, the tannin almost seeming to blossom itself. Beautiful wine. Complete.”\u003c\/em\u003e – Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, 95 Points (2025)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“From the Nocton vineyard in the Coal River Valley… With its aromas of dark fruits, sarsaparilla, violets and bay leaf, this is the big personality in the Giant Steps pinot range! Equally flamboyant on the palate, richly fruited and balanced with ripe, muscular tannins—ensuring this will be long-lived, too.”\u003c\/em\u003e – Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion, 95 Points (2025)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Lifted black cherry aromas with negroni\/chinotto\/marzipan notes. Richly concentrated and pure-fruited Pinot Noir with intense black cherry, strawberry fruits, chalky\/al dente textures, underlying vanilla, grilled nut, saline notes and fresh long juicy acidity. Finishes long and crispy. Beautifully made wine with lovely density and volume.”\u003c\/em\u003e – Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal, 96 Points (2025)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFiner Details:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Style - Red Wine\u003cbr\u003e Varietal - Pinot Noir\u003cbr\u003e Country - Australia\u003cbr\u003e Region - Coal River Valley, Tasmania\u003cbr\u003e Vintage - 2024\u003cbr\u003e Bottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003e ABV - 13.5%\u003cbr\u003e Closure - Screwcap\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41957546426455,"sku":"GSCOALRPN-24","price":99.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/a0f8663d-d766-4f38-986f-205cca034fe3.jpg?v=1757307208"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-primavera-vineyard-pinot-noir-2024","title":"Giant Steps Primavera Vineyard Pinot Noir 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Description:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003ePerfumed, red-fruited and impossibly seductive—Primavera is the most fragrant Pinot in the Giant Steps stable.\u003c\/em\u003e Planted in 2001 by Lou Primavera in Woori Yallock, this small vineyard sits at 240 metres on north and north-east facing slopes of red volcanic clay loam. The site captures both sunlight and cool air, producing Pinot of lifted aromatics and fine-boned elegance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiant Steps has worked with the Primavera family since 2006, drawing fruit from two distinct slopes: MV6 on the north, and 115 and G-clone on the south. In 2024, 35% whole bunches were included in fermentation, enhancing spice and structure without overwhelming the wine’s signature delicacy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhere Applejack and Sexton bring weight and power, Primavera Pinot Noir is all about perfume and finesse. It brims with red fruit, florals and gentle musk, finishing with supple tannins and refreshing acidity. A wine that charms in its youth but will reward carefully cellaring over the next decade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e NOSE\u003cbr\u003e – Floral \u0026amp; lifted\u003cbr\u003e Raspberry, cranberry and orange peel, laced with musk and rose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePALATE\u003cbr\u003e – Silken \u0026amp; supple\u003cbr\u003e Gentle succulence of red fruit balanced by fine tannins and lively acidity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFINISH\u003cbr\u003e – Long \u0026amp; fragrant\u003cbr\u003e A lingering, perfumed close with elegance and poise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviews \u0026amp; Accolades\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003e“From Lou Primavera’s ’01-planted vineyard at 300m on red volcanic soils in Woori Yallock. 35% whole bunches. A bright crimson red. This always highly seductive and perfumed wine has aromas of raspberries, orange peel and cranberries as well as a little musk stick and rose bush. There’s a gentle succulence on the palate that’s nicely balanced by the wine’s supple tannins and fine-boned acidity. Long, lovely, now and over the next six to eight years.”\u003c\/em\u003e – Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion, 97 Points (July 2025)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFiner Details:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Style - Red Wine\u003cbr\u003e Varietal - Pinot Noir\u003cbr\u003e Country - Australia\u003cbr\u003e Region - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003e Vintage - 2024\u003cbr\u003e Bottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003e ABV - 13.5%\u003cbr\u003e Closure - Screwcap\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41957551439959,"sku":"GSPRIMVPN-24","price":99.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/7e5a76ba-6fa5-4212-b1a3-f97a87d954d7.jpg?v=1757308937"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-sexton-vineyard-pinot-noir-2024","title":"Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Pinot Noir 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Description:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003ePowerfully structured and resolutely Yarra. \u003c\/em\u003eSexton Vineyard, perched on the steep north-facing slopes of the Warramate Ranges (130–210 m elevation), yields fruit of serious depth. Thin gravelly loam over rocky clay, combined with clonal selections like MV6 and G5V15, produce Pinot Noir with plush, concentrated character and a strong sense of site identity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2024 vintage, warm yet balanced, ripened swiftly and produced dark, clean fruit. Fermented using a mix of whole berries and whole bunches and matured in French oak barriques (approx. 25% new), the result is a wine rich in black cherry, plum, spice and graphite, with a texture that’s immediate rather than distant. This is Sexton in full, confident voice—earthy, robust, and generous on release. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e NOSE\u003cbr\u003e – Dark \u0026amp; plush\u003cbr\u003e Ripe dark raspberries, black-currant pastilles, kirsch, and a whisper of rose bush. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePALATE\u003cbr\u003e – Juicy \u0026amp; meaty\u003cbr\u003e Fleshy and structured, with dark cherry and plum weight carried by ripe, plush tannins. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFINISH\u003cbr\u003e – Immediate \u0026amp; confident\u003cbr\u003e Concentration and structure that suggests longevity, yet delivers gratifying density from the first pour. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviews \u0026amp; Accolades\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003e“From the Sexton vineyard in Gruyere planted in the late ’90s. 100% destemmed. A deep crimson ruby. Aromas of ripe dark raspberries, black-currant pastilles (these were always my favourite) and even a little kirsch. A touch of rose bush. The palate is juicy and fleshy and the wine’s ripe, plush tannins make this, along with the Primavera, the richest, meatiest and most immediate of the four single-vineyard Pinots in ’24. Having said this, you’d be happy if you found some laying around the cellar in eight or so years.”\u003c\/em\u003e – Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion, 96 Points (2025) \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCampbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, adds: \u003cem\u003e“Red fruit, aspects of saucy oak, figs and graphite, smoke… it tastes delicious… good weight and length… smoked peppercorn aspect.”\u003c\/em\u003e – 94 Points \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFiner Details:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Style – Red Wine\u003cbr\u003e Varietal – Pinot Noir\u003cbr\u003e Country – Australia\u003cbr\u003e Region – Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003e Vintage – 2024\u003cbr\u003e Bottle Size – 750ml\u003cbr\u003e ABV – 13.5%\u003cbr\u003e Closure – Screwcap\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41957551898711,"sku":"GSSEXPN-24","price":99.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/1dcc6528-4193-425a-94e4-345eaf027b24.jpg?v=1757309177"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-applejack-vineyard-pinot-noir-2024","title":"Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Description:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eFrom a dramatic slope in Gladysdale comes one of Australia’s great Pinot Noirs.\u003c\/em\u003e Applejack Vineyard was planted in 1997 by renowned viticulturist Ray Guerin on grey clay and volcanic soils at 300 metres altitude. Its elevated, east-facing position means a slower, cooler ripening season, producing fruit of piercing clarity, structure and spice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2024 season brought reduced yields—around 40% less fruit than the year prior—resulting in intensity and concentration. The wine was crafted with 40% whole bunches, enhancing perfume and tannin complexity. Despite the warmer conditions, Applejack’s natural site balance has delivered a Pinot Noir of both power and poise, deeply fruited yet taut.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis vineyard has long been considered a benchmark for Yarra Valley Pinot, and the 2024 release confirms its standing. Darkly fruited, savoury and firmly structured, it’s a wine that will unfurl beautifully over the next decade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e NOSE\u003cbr\u003e – Dark \u0026amp; brooding\u003cbr\u003e Wild blackberry, raspberry and briar with a subtle sous bois note.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePALATE\u003cbr\u003e – Concentrated \u0026amp; powerful\u003cbr\u003e Intensely fruited and mouth-filling, carrying a core of dark berry fruit and spice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFINISH\u003cbr\u003e – Grippy \u0026amp; long\u003cbr\u003e Succulent tannins taper into a firm, savoury close with great persistence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviews \u0026amp; Accolades\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003e“From the Applejack vineyard, planted on grey clay soils at 300m in Gladysdale in ’97 by Ray Guerin. 40% whole bunches and 40% less wine in ’24. Darkly fruited and more intense than the ’23 with aromas of wild blackberry, raspberry, briar, and just a hint of sous bois. On the palate, this is as concentrated and mouth-filling as the bouquet suggests it will be, culminating with succulent, grippy tannins on the long, tapering finish. It’s a touch more ‘sauvage’ and a little less floral than normal but, even in this warmer vintage, one of Australia’s most celebrated pinot noirs is in impressive form.”\u003c\/em\u003e – Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion, 98 Points (July 2025)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFiner Details:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Style - Red Wine\u003cbr\u003e Varietal - Pinot Noir\u003cbr\u003e Country - Australia\u003cbr\u003e Region - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003e Vintage - 2024\u003cbr\u003e Bottle Size - 750ml\u003cbr\u003e ABV - 13.3%\u003cbr\u003e Closure - Screwcap\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41957552029783,"sku":"GSAPPVPN-24","price":99.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/ede8ea47-5748-4f95-8ff5-0cbfbc720d05.jpg?v=1757309239"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-applejack-vineyard-pinot-noir-2024-1-5l","title":"Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir 2024 1.5L","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Description:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePrecision, perfume and site expression define the 2024 Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir, one of the most distinctive single-vineyard wines from Victoria’s Yarra Valley. The Applejack Vineyard sits high on the slopes of Gladysdale in the Upper Yarra, planted in the late 1990s on well-drained red volcanic soils that contribute both structure and aromatic lift to the wines. This elevated, cooler site allows Pinot Noir to ripen slowly, preserving freshness while building fine layers of flavour and complexity. Giant Steps is known for its meticulous vineyard selection and gentle winemaking approach, allowing each site to speak clearly through the finished wine. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 2024 vintage reflects the region’s balance of concentration and elegance, delivering fruit purity alongside savoury detail. In the glass the wine displays a brilliant ruby colour with lifted aromatics that immediately signal its cool-climate origin. The palate is finely structured and beautifully poised, with silky tannins supporting vibrant red fruit and subtle spice. Careful maturation in French oak adds texture and depth without overshadowing the vineyard character. Presented in magnum format, the wine offers enhanced ageing potential, allowing the structure and complexity of this single-vineyard Pinot Noir to evolve gracefully over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOSE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Perfumed and expressive\u003cbr\u003eAromatic layers of red cherry, wild strawberry and raspberry with hints of rose petal, forest floor, gentle spice and subtle savoury herbs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePALATE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Silky and finely structured\u003cbr\u003eMedium-bodied with bright red fruit flavours supported by vibrant acidity, fine tannins and delicate notes of spice, tea leaf and earthy complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFINISH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Long and refined\u003cbr\u003eAn elegant, lingering finish with persistent red berry fruit, subtle savoury tones and a fine mineral edge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviews \u0026amp; Accolades\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Fragrant and finely detailed pinot noir with aromas of red cherry, raspberry and dried rose petals. The palate is silky and precise with fine tannins and excellent length.”\u003c\/em\u003e — James Suckling, 95 points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“A beautifully perfumed wine with vibrant red fruits, spice and delicate savoury complexity. The palate is refined and layered, showing both elegance and structure.”\u003c\/em\u003e — James Halliday Wine Companion, 95 points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Bright red fruit, floral lift and gentle spice combine with a finely structured palate. There is impressive purity and length, with tannins that frame the wine gracefully.”\u003c\/em\u003e — Decanter, 94 points\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“From the Applejack vineyard, planted on grey clay soils at 300m in Gladysdale in ’97 by Ray Guerin. 40% whole bunches and 40% less wine in ’24. Darkly fruited and more intense than the ’23 with aromas of wild blackberry, raspberry, briar, and just a hint of sous bois. On the palate, this is as concentrated and mouth-filling as the bouquet suggests it will be, culminating with succulent, grippy tannins on the long, tapering finish. It’s a touch more ‘sauvage’ and a little less floral than normal but, even in this warmer vintage, one of Australia’s most celebrated pinot noirs is in impressive form.”\u003c\/em\u003e – Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion, 98 Points\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFiner Details:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStyle – Red Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal – Pinot Noir\u003cbr\u003eCountry – Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion – Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVineyard – Applejack Vineyard, Gladysdale\u003cbr\u003eVintage – 2024\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size – 1.5L Magnum\u003cbr\u003eABV – 13.3%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42647380557911,"sku":"GSAPPVPN-24-1.5L","price":219.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/Giant_Steps_Applejack_Vineyard_Pinot_Noir_2024_1.5L.webp?v=1782453101"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-sexton-vineyard-chardonnay-2024-1-5l","title":"Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay 2024 1.5L","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Description:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePrecision and site-driven character define the 2024 Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay, a standout expression from one of the Yarra Valley’s most respected vineyards. The Sexton Vineyard lies in Gruyere within the cooler Upper Yarra Valley, planted in 1997 on grey loam soils with underlying volcanic influence that contributes both texture and mineral detail to the wine. Giant Steps has built its reputation on crafting single-vineyard wines that faithfully reflect the nuances of each site, and the Sexton Vineyard consistently produces Chardonnay of depth and elegance. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 2024 vintage benefited from a balanced growing season, allowing fruit to ripen slowly while maintaining vibrant natural acidity. Careful whole-bunch pressing and fermentation with wild yeasts preserve aromatic purity and structure. Maturation in French oak barrels adds subtle texture and complexity without overwhelming the wine’s natural freshness. In the glass, the wine reveals a pale straw hue and lifted aromas that signal both richness and precision. The palate balances bright citrus fruit with fine creamy texture and a persistent mineral backbone. Presented in magnum format, the wine has the potential to evolve gracefully, developing further layers of complexity with careful cellaring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOSE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Fresh and refined\u003cbr\u003eAromas of white peach, lemon zest and grapefruit layered with hints of cashew, subtle struck match and delicate floral notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePALATE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Textured and vibrant\u003cbr\u003eMedium-bodied with flavours of citrus, stone fruit and nectarine supported by bright acidity, fine oak integration and a creamy mid-palate texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFINISH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Long and mineral-driven\u003cbr\u003eA persistent finish showing citrus freshness, subtle savoury complexity and a fine chalky mineral edge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviews \u0026amp; Accolades\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Complex aromas of lemon curd, white peach and toasted nuts with hints of flint. Medium-bodied with layered fruit and a creamy texture balanced by bright acidity and a long, focused finish.”\u003c\/em\u003e — James Suckling, 95 points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“A detailed and elegant chardonnay with citrus, stone fruit and subtle oak spice. The palate is finely structured and mineral with impressive purity and length.”\u003c\/em\u003e — James Halliday Wine Companion, 95 points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Bright citrus and stone fruit aromas combine with flinty complexity and fine oak. The palate is poised and precise with excellent tension and persistence.”\u003c\/em\u003e — Decanter, 94 points\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Another salivating and seductive Sexton Chardonnay with its bouquet of stone fruits, preserved lemons, freshly ground coffee beans and roasted hazelnut. The beautifully balanced and tightly coiled palate is underpinned by its concentration and intensity. Finishes saline and extremely long. It's all here and needs another five to seven years, at least, to reach its zenith.”\u003c\/em\u003e – Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion, 97 Points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFiner Details:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStyle – White Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal – Chardonnay\u003cbr\u003eCountry – Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion – Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003eVineyard – Sexton Vineyard, Gruyere\u003cbr\u003eVintage – 2024\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size – 1.5L Magnum\u003cbr\u003eABV – 13.2%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42647393861719,"sku":"GSSEXVCH-24-1.5L","price":199.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/Giant_Steps_Sexton_Vineyard_Chardonnay_2024_1.5L.webp?v=1782451853"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-yarra-valley-pinot-noir-2025","title":"Giant Steps Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2025","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Description:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGiant Steps Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2025 is a finely composed expression of Pinot Noir sourced from vineyards throughout Victoria’s celebrated Yarra Valley. Half of the fruit was drawn from vineyards in the cooler Upper Yarra ranges, contributing freshness, fragrance and structural precision to the finished wine. The 2025 season began with a generously wet winter that replenished moisture throughout the vineyard soils before warm and dry conditions arrived in spring. Favourable flowering and fruit-set conditions supported healthy development, while the dry growing season encouraged steady ripening without excessive heat. An earlier-than-usual and compressed harvest produced fruit showing excellent concentration, purity and weight. All grapes were harvested by hand and carefully sorted in the vineyard to preserve fruit quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wine was produced using a combination of whole-bunch, semi-carbonic fermentation and destemmed whole-berry fermentation, with the final blend containing 32% whole bunches. Destemmed parcels received a three-day cold soak before undergoing natural fermentation, while gentle gravity-fed drain-and-return techniques were used to manage extraction. Following fermentation, the individual parcels were matured for eight months in French oak barriques, comprising 16% new oak and 84% seasoned oak. The wine was then bottled by gravity without fining or filtration, preserving its natural character, texture and aromatic clarity. Bright cherry and raspberry fruit is complemented by lavender, spice and a supple, medium-bodied palate. Balanced acidity and finely integrated tannins provide freshness and definition, making the wine approachable in its youth while allowing it to develop gracefully over the short to medium term.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOSE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Fragrant and expressive\u003cbr\u003eRipe cherry, raspberry coulis, lavender and delicate spice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePALATE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Bright and finely balanced\u003cbr\u003eJuicy red fruit, subtle florals, refreshing acidity and supple tannins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFINISH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Fresh and poised\u003cbr\u003eLingering cherry, raspberry and gentle spice with refined tannin definition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviews \u0026amp; Accolades\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e“An opulent crimson purple. Explodes from the glass with its aromas of ripe cherries, raspberry coulis, lavender and spice.”\u003c\/em\u003e — Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion, 96 Points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFiner Details:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStyle – Red Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal – Pinot Noir\u003cbr\u003eCountry – Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion – Victoria, Yarra Valley\u003cbr\u003eVintage – 2025\u003cbr\u003eBottle Size – 750ml\u003cbr\u003eABV – 13.5%\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44106302554199,"sku":"GS-YV-PN-25","price":36.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/Giant_Steps_Yarra_Valley_Pinot_Noir_2025_750ml.webp?v=1786003016"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-applejack-vineyard-chardonnay-2025","title":"Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Chardonnay 2025","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eApplejack’s high-altitude precision comes through in a tightly coiled Chardonnay of purity, tension and mineral drive.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiant Steps Applejack Vineyard Chardonnay 2025 comes from a small Chardonnay parcel within the Applejack Vineyard at Gladysdale in the Upper Yarra Valley. The site was planted in 1997 and sits on east-facing slopes over grey clay loam and basalt-derived volcanic soils, with its elevation contributing to a cooler and extended growing season. The 2025 season followed a wet winter with a warm, dry spring and an early, compressed harvest, producing fruit with excellent concentration while retaining natural freshness. All fruit was hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed before the juice was transferred directly to barrel by gravity without settling, retaining full lees. Wild fermentation took place in 500-litre French oak puncheons, preserving the vineyard’s fine-boned structure and mineral focus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wine underwent no bâtonnage and no malolactic fermentation, helping maintain its taut acidity and precise fruit profile. Maturation took place for nine months in French oak, with 12% new oak and the remainder seasoned, allowing subtle texture and spice without overwhelming the fruit. White peach, lemon and grapefruit sit alongside floral notes, flinty reduction and delicate oak complexity. The palate is concentrated but restrained, driven by a fine line of acidity and a distinctly mineral, saline character. Its combination of tension, length and controlled richness gives the 2025 Applejack Chardonnay both immediate appeal and the structure to develop further in bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOSE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Fine, citrus-driven and mineral\u003cbr\u003eWhite peach, lemon, grapefruit and white flowers with subtle flint, wet-rock character and restrained French oak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePALATE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Taut, concentrated and precise\u003cbr\u003eBright stone fruit and citrus are carried by finely etched acidity, delicate texture and a firm mineral line, with subtle oak adding depth without heaviness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFINISH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Long, saline and focused\u003cbr\u003ePersistent citrus, white peach and mineral notes extend through a finely structured, precise and energetic finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviews \u0026amp; Accolades\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Applejack vineyard was planted at Gladysdale by Ray Guerin in '97, and only 2ha of its 11ha are planted to chardonnay. Fermented and matured in neutral puncheons. While this is a little richer than the '24, all the hallmarks of this vineyard are still here. Light stone fruits, lemon, white flowers and a little flint. The palate is equally restrained, with a lovely fine vein of acidity that runs through the wine. Finishes long and precise. An Applejack that can be enjoyed now and over the next five to seven years.”\u003c\/em\u003e — Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion, 96 Points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“I am fully on-board with this release of Applejack Chardonnay. It’s a beauty. Pure, long, showing a little more flint than usual, all line and length in general but with a bit of extra punch and flare on top. This is tight and taut and tense and all those things, but wow does it extend and wow does it thrill. We’re in chardonnay for chardonnay lovers territory. White peach, cedar, lactose, a touch of lemonade; the sum is far more than the parts. Fantastic wine. Compelling. Intense. On a mission.”\u003c\/em\u003e — Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, 96 Points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFiner Details:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBrand - Giant Steps\u003cbr\u003eStyle - White Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Chardonnay\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eState - Victoria\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2025\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13%\u003cbr\u003eSize - 750ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44418564718679,"sku":"GS-APJ-CH-25","price":89.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/141b81a2-7c30-485b-a441-fea4653f4cf4.webp?v=1791330510"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-applejack-vineyard-pinot-noir-2025","title":"Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir 2025","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eOne of the Upper Yarra’s benchmark Pinot Noir sites delivers remarkable perfume, depth and finely controlled power.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir 2025 comes from the elevated Applejack Vineyard at Gladysdale in the Upper Yarra Valley, a site planted by respected viticulturist Ray Guerin in 1997. Its east-facing slopes sit over grey-brown clay loam with an underlying basalt-derived volcanic base, while the higher elevation gives the vineyard a cooler, longer growing season than much of the central Yarra Valley. These conditions are particularly well suited to Pinot Noir, encouraging fragrance, freshness and the spicy, firm structure for which Applejack has become known. The vineyard also contains significant clonal diversity, contributing additional aromatic and structural complexity. For the 2025 release, Philip Rich records 35% whole bunches, adding another layer of perfume and savoury detail to the wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2025 is deeply perfumed, opening with wild strawberry, black raspberry and red cherry alongside peony, bergamot and Chinese five-spice. Floral notes mingle with tea-like, twiggy and earthy nuances, giving the aromatic profile considerable complexity without masking the purity of the fruit. The medium-bodied palate combines concentrated forest berries and red cherry with finely woven tannins and bright freshness. Structure is a defining feature, with the tannins providing an impressive frame while allowing the fruit to remain vivid and expressive. The finish is exceptionally persistent, carrying red fruit, florals, spice and savoury detail through a long, composed conclusion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOSE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Fragrant, floral and spicy\u003cbr\u003eWild strawberry, black raspberry and red cherry with peony, bergamot, Chinese five-spice, dried flowers and subtle earthy, tea-like nuances.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePALATE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Concentrated, structured and finely detailed\u003cbr\u003eForest berries and pure red cherry are framed by firm, beautifully integrated tannins, with floral, herbal and savoury complexity adding depth to the medium-bodied palate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFINISH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Long, persistent and poised\u003cbr\u003eRed fruit, fine spice, florals and savoury tones linger over tightly woven tannins, leaving an energetic and impressively sustained finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviews \u0026amp; Accolades\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e“From the Applejack vineyard, planted on grey clay soils at 300m in Gladysdale in '97 by Ray Guerin. 35% whole bunches. A deep, bright plummy red. The perfume when you put your nose in the glass is off the chain! Aromas of wild strawberry, black raspberry, peony, bergamot and Chinese five-spice. Multi-faceted and layered on the medium-bodied palate, with the tannins perfectly interwoven with the fruit. It's incredibly long and will reward cellaring over the next decade or more. Not sure I've tasted a better Applejack Pinot, which is saying something.”\u003c\/em\u003e — Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion, 98+ Points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Stunning pinot noir. Exceptionally fragrant, dramatically well structured and then just so impressively persistent. It tastes of forest berries and pure red cherry, crushed dry and fresh flowers, an assortment of teas and twiggy herb notes, though it’s that push of fruit that really beguiles. This is top tier gear, no doubting it. The frame of tannin, in a balanced and appropriate way, is next level; it just has that extra push. Drink: 2027 - 2034+.\"\u003c\/em\u003e — Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, 96 Points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFiner Details:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBrand - Giant Steps\u003cbr\u003eStyle - Red Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Pinot Noir\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eState - Victoria\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2025\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13.5%\u003cbr\u003eSize - 750ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44418589753431,"sku":"GS-APJ-PN-25","price":99.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/9ef498df-dc00-4f8c-8b8b-45f354043eba.webp?v=1791331021"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-primavera-vineyard-pinot-noir-2025","title":"Giant Steps Primavera Vineyard Pinot Noir 2025","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePrimavera’s signature perfume and silky red fruit meet unusual depth and structure in the concentrated 2025 vintage.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiant Steps Primavera Vineyard Pinot Noir 2025 comes from Lou Primavera’s vineyard at Woori Yallock in the Upper Yarra Valley, planted in 2001 on red clay loam. The site sits at approximately 240 metres elevation, with Pinot Noir planted across opposing slopes near the beginning of Lone Star Creek. MV6 occupies the north-facing slope, while clone 115 and G-clone grow on the opposite side, giving the vineyard valuable clonal and site diversity. Primavera has traditionally produced one of Giant Steps’ most floral, fragrant and red-fruited expressions of Pinot Noir, with a naturally supple texture. The 2025 season brought greater concentration and weight while maintaining the vineyard’s characteristic aromatic lift.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFruit was hand-picked, with each clone fermented and matured separately in a combination of small oak fermenters and stainless-steel open vats. Clone 115 was fermented with 100% whole bunches, while MV6 and G-clone were fully destemmed, with the destemmed parcels receiving a four-day cold soak before fermentation. Ferments remained on skins for around 18 days, with gentle gravity-assisted cap management helping preserve perfume and finesse. The resulting wine shows damson plum, dark raspberry, red cherry, violets and spice over a concentrated yet polished palate. Persistent, textured tannins give the wine impressive length and ageing potential while retaining the silky, fragrant character associated with Primavera.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOSE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Floral, fragrant and deeply expressive\u003cbr\u003eDamson plum, dark raspberry and red cherry with crushed violets, florals, star anise, peppercorn and subtle savoury spice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePALATE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Concentrated, succulent and refined\u003cbr\u003ePure red and dark fruit is carried by fresh acidity and persistent, finely textured tannins, with plum, raspberry and spice adding depth to the silky palate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFINISH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Long, structured and perfumed\u003cbr\u003eRed fruit, florals and spice linger over finely woven tannins, finishing bright, balanced and impressively persistent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviews \u0026amp; Accolades\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"From Lou Primavera's '01-planted vineyard at 300m on red volcanic soils in Woori Yallock. A deep, bright crimson. A more concentrated and brooding Primavera. Aromas of damson plum, dark raspberry, lightly crushed violets and star anise. It's concentrated on the palate, too, with persistent and textured tannins that'll ensure this ages slowly and gracefully over a decade or more. Different from but equally as good as the Bastard Hill, which shares the same soil but is at higher elevation.\"\u003c\/em\u003e — Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion, 97+ Points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“What a beautiful wine. The word immaculate springs to mind. Plums, spices, florals, red cherries and peppercorns. A general succulence. A velvety veneer. Impeccable freshness. Settled, and balanced, but bright. It’s all positives here, start to finish, but it’s more than that. It’s a top flight producer turning out top flight wine. Every sip oozes confidence, class, climate and site. This is all perfume, brightness and give, within a structure, elongated context.\"\u003c\/em\u003e— Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, 95 Points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFiner Details:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBrand - Giant Steps\u003cbr\u003eStyle - Red Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Pinot Noir\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eState - Victoria\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2025\u003cbr\u003eABV - 14.0%\u003cbr\u003eSize - 750ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44418593292375,"sku":"GS-PRI-PN-25","price":99.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/ff4f9459-304b-4116-ac2c-3dd2ffe9cc49.webp?v=1791331125"},{"product_id":"giant-steps-coal-river-pinot-noir-2025","title":"Giant Steps Coal River Pinot Noir 2025","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA powerful and richly structured single-vineyard Tasmanian Pinot Noir with impressive fruit weight.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Giant Steps Coal River Valley Pinot Noir 2025 is sourced from the Nocton Vineyard, planted in 1999 in southern Tasmania's cool, sun-drenched Coal River Valley. Despite cool ambient temperatures, long and intense sunlight hours allow the fruit to achieve remarkable depth of color, concentration, and structural density. Transported as handpicked whole fruit under refrigeration from Tasmania to the Giant Steps winery in the Yarra Valley, the grapes were 100% destemmed and cold-soaked for three to four days in open oak vats and stainless-steel fermenters before maturation in French oak barriques for eight months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the palate, it delivers powerful weight and texture, brimming with dark cherry, brambly blackberry compote, and subtle crushed violet over a backdrop of white and black pepper spice. Firm, balanced tannins work seamlessly with a fine line of acidity, providing a compact and muscular structure that drives a long, persistent finish. Bottled by gravity without fining or filtration, this exceptional cool-climate Pinot Noir offers immediate intrigue while possessing the structure to cellar rewardingly over six to ten years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOSE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Concentrated, perfumed and spiced\u003cbr\u003eDark cherry, blackberry, white and black pepper, with subtle crushed violet nuances.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePALATE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Compact, dense and muscular\u003cbr\u003eBlackberry compote and brambly dark fruits supported by firm, balanced tannins and powerful weight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFINISH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Long, driving and structured\u003cbr\u003ePersistent dark fruit intensity and subtle oak spice lingering on a fine, focused finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviews \u0026amp; Accolades\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“From a vineyard planted in '99 in the Coal River Valley; 100% destemmed, 25% new oak. A deep crimson purple. Concentrated with dark cherry, blackberry, white and black pepper and a little crushed violet. The palate is compact and dense with firm, balanced tannins, creating a muscular wine that will reward at least six to 10 years in the cellar.”\u003c\/em\u003e — Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion, 95+ Points\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“A little bit more structure, a little more bass and fruit-grunt perhaps, the same polish, the same excellence. I’m not sure how people view Giant Steps’ Tasmanian outcrop – I’m tempted to say that it’s anti the Giant Steps brand but then, Giant Steps has always taken excursions out of its home region – but quality-wise this is right up there with the single vineyard releases from the Yarra. Cherry-plum flavours, florals and herbs, an absolute smidgen of reduction, and immaculate, fine-meshed, mineral-laced tannin. Brilliant.”\u003c\/em\u003e — Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, 95+ Points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFiner Details:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBrand - Giant Steps\u003cbr\u003eStyle - Red Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Pinot Noir\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eState - Tasmania\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Coal River Valley\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2025\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13.5%\u003cbr\u003eSize - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eCertification - Vegan\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44418597748823,"sku":"GS-CR-PN-25","price":99.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/d9b5ccbe-6e2b-465e-8421-106bd0388f85.webp?v=1791331193"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/collections\/giantsteps-3.jpg?v=1791338499","url":"https:\/\/kentstreetcellars.com.au\/collections\/giant-steps.oembed?page=3","provider":"Kent Street Cellars","version":"1.0","type":"link"}