A beautifully perfumed example of the classic medium-bodied Yarra Valley style from an exciting new entrant to the local scene, made by the highly experienced Paul Bridgeman. Medium garnet. Open and expressive aromas of mulled strawberry, forest floor and clove. Plush and polished palate, delivering a riot of red berry perfume, and velvet umami throughout, enhanced by damp earth, mushroom and stalk and charry barrel harmony.

Pinot Noir - A medium bodied wine, the boquet has a soft strawberry and cherry characters that linger to a toasty oak finish.

Established in 1995, Toolangi Vineyard is in the Yarra Valley adjoining the Toolangi State Forest. This single-site vineyard on fine clay loam produces wines with distinctive personalities, each wine showing a strong sense of place. The vines were cropped low, and the fruit was hand-harvested from 20-year-old vines of MV6 Pinot Noir clone. Fruit for the 2022 Pinot Noir was hand-picked on the 11th of March, The fruit was destemmed as whole berries, with 10% left as whole bunches. There was a short cold soak prior to fermentation and the wine was then left on skins for 21 days. It was then pressed to French barriques and puncheons (less than 10% new) for malolactic conversion and left on lees in oak for 10 months.

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.

Coldstream Hills was established in 1985 by James and Suzanne Halliday and has always produced a benchmark cool-climate Pinot Noir. This beautifully textured wine boasts rich flavours of dark cherries, pepper and foresty notes, with a long and toasty finish.

Pale yellow in colour, with green edges, the wine has fine bubbles and persistent mousse. Fresh lime blossom, apple and fennel aromas abound with some hints of nut and toast in background. A bright palate includes primary fruit flavours of pears and Fuji apples, nectarine and ripe meyer lemons. Soft acidity, gentle creamy texture and a very long finish are features of this wine.

This wine is grown, picked and made to be elegant in style, with lifted strawberry Pinot Noir aromas. It is dry, yet succulent wine with fresh acidity and fine texture. A lovely aperitif enjoyed on its own or with lighter foods such as antipasto, pâté or fresh summer seafood.