Giant Steps Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2023

Bing cherries, rhubarb and boysenberries. Crushed allspice, soft licorice and cardamom. Nigella seed, poppy and white pepper. Gravel and black stone. Pure black fruit intensity with compact berries. The character of this wine doesn’t rely solely on bunch work but the proportion sits fairly high at 35% and it carries it well. It’s confident in its composition of fruit and everything else is in balance, like a cobweb of support. A gentle swathe of fine tannins and lingering acidity. Delicious, structured and drinking very well now. A wine that would shine with almost any dish but for an example I’d say chewy wok charred Pad See Ew noodles with beef would elevate any night of the week. Points: 93/100

Wine Pilot ∙ 29th Apr 2024

A mid-weighted pinot noir with firm, rather brusque tannins, especially in the context of of an estate bottling. Bing cherry, orange peel and a hint of typically Yarra sassafras. The tannins, oak and whole-bunch-derived, as evidenced by their shape, are a bit pinched and herbal. I much prefer this to the chardonnay opening act, although strongly suggest that this, too, needs a few years to mesh. Points: 92/100

jamessuckling.com ∙ 6th Mar 2024

A 50/50% mix of upper and lower Yarra fruit; 35% whole bunches and matured in French oak (10% new). A bright crimson red. After a few good few swirls, aromas of ripe raspberries, black cherries, wild herbs and some crushed violets soon emerge. The palate, though, doesn't need much coaxing, and this silken, sappy wine has excellent depth and persistence. Will be even better six to 12 months from now. Points: 96/100

James Halliday Wine Companion 2025, 7 August, 2024 ∙ 29th Feb 2024

A 50/50% mix of upper and lower Yarra fruit; 35% whole bunches and matured in French oak (10% new). A bright crimson red. After a few good few swirls, aromas of ripe raspberries, black cherries, wild herbs and some crushed violets soon emerge. The palate, though, doesn't need much coaxing, and this silken, sappy wine has excellent depth and persistence. Will be even better six to 12 months from now. Points: 96/100

Halliday Wine Companion ∙ 29th Apr 2023