From vines yielding less than 1 tonne/acre, 100% whole bunch, natural yeast ferment, 100% new oak. A powerful and structural Pinot Noir by Lethbridge. An unusual presentation of the MV6 clone in the Estate vineyard produces fruit of great density of flavour, and very low yield (0.5 tonnes/acre). This wine was fermented with 100% whole bunch inclusion and had pre-fermentation maceration for 7-10 days. Wild yeast fermentation in small open vats proceeded with daily pigéage. Pressing was straight to barrel (100% new French oak) to allow for gross lees contact and natural MLF.

An ethereal Pinot Noir, it has a nose of violets, boysenberry, plum, black olive and vanilla. Telling the story of the vintage, it is sweet-fruited and pretty with cherry,raspberry and blackberry, along with savoury tapenade and a touch of char and spice. Possessing talcy tannins and lively acidity, complexity builds mid-palate and it has a long, harmonious finish.

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.

Moss Wood are not know for their Pinot Noir, however this is a fine a unique expression of region and variety. A fruit bomb of rich and integrated flavours of cherry, spice, charry oak and silky finesse on the finish. The flavours pop and linger in the mouth long after the wine has left it.

As often happens with Calvert, the nose when young is slightly muted and more direct than exotic; pure and fine aromas, not bold and lush. The palate follows on accordingly, with clarity of fruit, roses and florals. Focussed, concentrated yet pure in the mid-palate, with its hallmark mineral texture, its firm but ultimately juicy on the finish. The vines are growing up and were seeing the puppy-fat turn to muscle.

Two vineyards were established in the Bendigo sub-region: The Prophets Rock Home Vineyard and, subsequently, the Rocky Point. Both are steep and elevated, and each is distinctive The Home Vineyard with its rare mix of soils, including schist, clay and chalk, and Rocky Point with its stony ground and almost treacherous slopes. Rich ruby in colour, displaying red berry fruit, spice and floral aromas on the nose leading on to an elegant well-structured, mineral driven palate. The rich aromatics are accompanied by silky tannin and well-balanced acidity leading on to a long finish. This wine will reward cellaring over the next 6-10+ years from vintage.