Pinot Noir Of The Year | 98 Points - Philip Rich
Giant Steps has forged a reputation as one of the Yarra Valley's leading wineries, with their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay consistently among the nation's finest examples. Named 'Winery Of The Year' in the 2025 Halliday Wine Companion, Giant Steps continues to produce some stunning cool-climate wines.
Named 'Pinot Noir Of The Year' in the 2025 Halliday Wine Companion, the 2023 Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir further enhances the reputation of this Yarra Valley producer. Another meticulously made Pinot Noir, this delivers a level of purity, poise and complexity rarely found. Always in high demand, our limited remaining stock will not last long.
"98 Points. Pinot Noir of the Year. Named after the Applejack eucalypts that surround the vineyard, which was planted at Gladysdale in 1997 by Ray Guerin. Seven clones comprising 114, 115, MV6, D2V5, D5V15, Pommard and Abel. Whole bunches (40%) and 20–25% new French barriques. 2022 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. Densley 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. Screw cap. 13.2% alc. Drink: 2024 - 2030. $100"- Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion 2025.
"Applejack Vineyard is a special site, located on a dramatic slope in the upper Yarra Valley. 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. 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). 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 from the afternoon heat by the temperate rainforest that surrounds it. We notice it produces the most earthen pinot noirs, that have the beautiful perfume and exotic red fruits that we love about Pinot, with complex notes of fresh turned earth, miso and mushroom. The flavours combined with wound tannins, intense flavour and texture on the palate shows us the quality of the site for world class Pinot Noir."- Giant Steps Wines.