Pre-Release - Ships from 26th of Aug Halliday Wine Companion's Winery of the Year!"Giant Steps, right now, breathes rare air. It’s been an outstanding winery for a long time, but the combination of energy and expertise – and no doubt plenty more besides – that winemaker Melanie Chester has brought since she arrived at the winery in November 2021 has frankly been breathtaking... In short, it’s a thrilling range to drink from."- Campbell Mattinson (Halliday Wine Companion) The 2023 Giant Steps Bastard Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir is a significant debut for this storied vineyard in the Yarra Valley. Planted by the legendary Ray Guerin in 1986, Bastard Hill sits on steep slopes with volcanic loam soils at elevations reaching 380 metres. This high-altitude site, once dedicated to sparkling wine, has gained a reputation for producing exquisite Pinot Noir. Its name reflects both the vineyard's challenging terrain and its potential for greatness, now being realised under the careful stewardship of Giant Steps and Mel Chester. The 2023 vintage was marked by a cool growing season with a late harvest, resulting in grapes with excellent fruit concentration and natural acidity. The Pinot Noir was handpicked in two parcels and 100% destemmed before fermenting in small seasoned French oak vats. Fermented separately, each clone underwent a four-day cold soak and spent 10-14 days on skins. The wine matured in French oak barriques, with 20% new oak enhancing its complexity. This Pinot Noir captivates with its aromatic bouquet of exotic red fruits, bergamot, rose petals, and a hint of lavender. The palate is poised and elegant, with notes of sour cherries and blood oranges flowing seamlessly over a fine thread of acidity. The wine is both delicate and persistent, with silky tannins providing structure and length. This release marks a promising new chapter for Bastard Hill, showcasing the vineyard’s unique character and the meticulous craftsmanship of the Giant Steps team. 97 points"Made 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."- Philip Rich (Halliday Wine Companion)

This 20ha vineyard was planted on red clay loam soil at Woori Yallock in 2001 by Lou Primavera, with whom Giant Steps has a long-standing grape-supply relationship. Pinot Noir (114, MV6 and G8V3 clones) grown here on the north and north east facing slopes at 230m is noted for its complex structure and pronounced perfume. The 114 and MV6 are fermented as whole bunches in open vats, while the G8V3 is destemmed, given a long cold-soak and fermented separately to enhance its aromatic contribution. All ferments use indigenous yeasts and the whole-bunch components are periodically foot-stomped to release additional juice. The wines are pressed to 228 litre, French barriques (about 8% new) for 11 months before blending and bottling without fining or filtration.

Giant Steps plays it's part in the rapid accension of Australian Chardonnay back to the position it once held here. That being of the king of white varieties. This is a very stylish numbe from Phil Sexton and his team. Stonefruit, melon and butterscotch characters are supported by vanillin oak and the palate is long and textured with a clean crisp finish.

Produced from one of the Top 100 Wineries in the World the Giant Steps Pinot Noir is complex with terrific varietal character. With a minimalist approach to winemaking this Yarra Valley favourite oozes elegance and drinkability. Giant Steps is an independent winery in Healesville, Victoria, owned by Phil Sexton. Phil first made his name in establishing some noted micro-breweries, such as Little Creatures, and later established Devils Lair in Margaret River. First released in 2001, Giant Steps focuses exclusively on the distinctive expression of single vineyard sites in the Yarra Valley. Grapes are drawn from estate and leased vineyards, as well as a selection of long-term contracted vineyards. Giant Steps wines are produced fastidiously in the vineyard and vinified with minimal intervention so that each is a faithful expression of site, vintage and culture. Giant Steps focuses on restrained Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and cool climate Cabernet/Merlot blends. These single vineyard wines are sourced from five different vineyards throughout the Yarra, so each is a fingerprint of location and site personality. The name Giant Steps comes in part from Phils love for jazz and John Coltranes album of that same name, and in part due the Giant Step Phil took in relocating with his family from Margaret River to the Yarra Valley. Giant Steps wines are always exclusively single vineyard Yarra Valley wines. They are hand made in small batches using gravity flow principles. Production of the Giant Steps wines is very limited with some vineyards producing as little as 200 cases each vintage some wines are not produced each year if vintage conditions do not allow. These wines are often hard to find in retail outlets as they are mainly sold through the cellar door and through selected restaurants.

Giant Steps is a complex Pinot Noir with terrific varietal character. The nose shows rose petal, dark cherry and tomato leaf aromas and the palate is fleshy but tight, with savoury, dusty notes and silky tannins.