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.

This superb Pinot Noir shows what heights can be reached when modestly priced wines are produced in outstanding vintages. Expect a red and dark cherry fragrance with a hint of spice. It's light bodied with earthy flavours of red berries delivered with finesses one of the finest producers of the 'Fronsac' appellation. Predominantly Merlot, there's supreme depth of dark fruit, together with the 'polished' structure so synonymous with the 2012 vintage.

This Chardonnay has plenty of robust varietal aromas of stone-fruits and melon on the nose, which is well supported with spicy oak. The palate has a soft creamy mouthfeel while maintaining a tight structure that includes well defined fruit flavours of melon, pears and a touch of citrus acidity bound by well integrated French oak.

Aromatically it's extremely floral and spicy, while the palate is medium-to-full-bodied with layers of blackberry, plum, and spice, balanced by fresh acidity. It's just a beautifully poised and delicious, modern Yarra Syrah, and great from the get-go or in the cellar for up to a decade.

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.