Maker:
Since 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.
Sexton 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.
In 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.
Vineyard:
Yarra 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.
Located 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.
Among 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.
Nose - Musk, Strawberry Panna Cotta
It has an exotic, warm, spice-filled bouquet with musk and strawberry cream flavours.
Palate - Savoury, Nectarines, Spice
In a good zone of savoury, dry and fruity.
Finish - Stony, Cherry, Dry Fragrant Finish
Light to medium, some richer tones through the middle-palate, with racy acidity. Moreish.
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