Yarra Valley, VIC
Giant Steps' most collectable Pinot Noir in brilliant form as always. Elegant and beautifully balanced.
$69.00
...I'm not sure I've seen a better version than the 2021.
Philip Rich (Halliday Wine Companion)
The Applejack Pinot Noir is from the cooler climes of Gladysdale in the Yarra Valley, and is now seen as one of the benchmark Pinot Noirs of the region
This is one of the jewels in the Giant Steps crown. A wine that shows a tremendous balance of grace and power from day one, with the structure to age wonderfully.
With a healthy amount of whole bunches and a splash of new oak, the wine has plenty of oomph to go along with its sweet fruit and enticing fragrance - it really is the complete package.
Applejack is often the fastest to sell out of the Giant Steps range. If you love Pinot Noir, do not hesitate over this release.
Giant Steps is a premium Yarra Valley outfit founded by Phil Sexton and located in the in the township of Healesville. Since appointing Steve Flamsteed as his head winemaker and eventual business partner, Sexton and Flamsteed have developed a reputation for producing some of the region's finest examples of single vineyard wines.
In 2021 the wonderful Melanie Chester joined the team as the new head winemaker - the future sure is bright at Giant Steps!
From the vineyard to the final bottled wine, every aspect of the Giant Steps process is geared towards making truly world-class wines. The focus is on what the Yarra does best - Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Shiraz/Syrah and Bordeaux-variety blends - and showcasing the unique terroirs of some of the region's finest vineyards.
Hand picked, all fruit is chilled overnight to 12 degrees Celsius. Fermented in small oak fermenters and stainless steel open vats. The MV6 and Pommard parcels were fermented as whole bunches, while the Abel and D clones were destemmed to whole berries and cold soaked for five days. The resulting blend is almost 80% whole bunch due to the riper stems this year. All parcels were matured in French oak – 25% new, 75% older –for eight months in 225L barriques.
Blend : Pinot Noir (100%)
ABV : 13.5%
Closure : Screw Cap
Drink Until : 2032
Bottle Size : 750ml
"Named after the Applejack eucalypts that surround the vineyard, which was planted at Gladysdale in 1997. Seven clones including 114, 115, MV6, D2V5, D5V15, Pommard and Abel! I'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." - Philip Rich (Halliday Wine Companion)
"Mid-light purple-red colour, bright and youthful, with aromas of mixed spices, raspberry, smoky oak and charcuterie, gentle palate texture and pleasingly drying tannins at the end. Excellent intensity. A nice touch of fruit sweetness at the heart of it, then a drying flush of fine tannin moves in. Delicious pinot." - Huon Hooke (The Real Review)
"Pure red cherry flavours push straight into undergrowth, mushroom, fragrant herb and spices. Cedarwood oak is present but so happily married to the fruit. There are briar notes here, particularly through the finish, and throughout it feels structured without necessarily feeling grippy. There’s a (positive) smoky aftertaste and a (very) good level of richness, in a varietal context. All up, hands down, this is a gorgeous wine to drink." - Campbell Mattinson (The Wine Front)
"Brashly spicy and complex, this has aromas of espresso, blueberries, toasted spices and grilled bread, as well as forest wood and violets. The palate delivers alluring depth and a round, fleshy build. Acidity explodes on the finish, releasing fresh red-cherry and blueberry fruit flavors. Wonderfully layered and complete. Drink over the next eight years." - JamesSuckling.com
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Very good
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Rated 5 out of 5
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Rated 5 out of 5
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Rated 3 out of 5
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Bought this as a gift for my partner and he now has a new favourite wine! Super smooth from the first taste, 10/10 would recommend.
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Rated 5 out of 5
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Rated 5 out of 5
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Rated 4 out of 5
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