This week we have a blockbuster Pinot Noir from the Yarra Valley in Australia for you. The important detail here - we only have 240 bottles of this new release, and it is available on a first come first served basis, with 20% off when you buy 6 or 12 bottles! Based out of the Yarra Valley, but pulling in fruit from Tasmania & Central Otago in New Zealand, Giant Steps has rightly gained a reputation for some of the Southern Hemisphere's best wines, with incredible Pinot Noir the almost exclusive focus. We're talking superstar single vineyard wines, with the mega points to match.
In short, Phil Sexton who owns Giant Steps is a perfectionist. He is spearheading a campaign for classification across the vineyards of the Yarra Valley and he makes many single vineyard expressions. He is all about Burgundy style Pinot and while he doesn’t do entry level, this is his overall Yarra Valley Blend Pinot and it’s lovely. At €28 of course it’s not cheap, but by comparison to Burgundy standards, you would need to spend twice that amount for something nearly half as delicious.
Why this wine? Steve Flamsteed and the hyper-talented crew at Giant Steps are the undisputed masters of cool-climate Yarra Valley fruit - together they’ve rustled up some Yarra Valley classics over the years, but they’ve outdone themselves with their latest, 2021 release. This is it. If you only drink one Pinot Noir from Yarra Valley this year, make sure it’s the Giant Steps 2021 expression. Take it from Philip Rich, who looks after the region for the Halliday Wine Companion who called it:
‘the perfect introduction to modern Yarra Valley Pinot. ‘A very bright, light–medium crimson red. A gentle waft of fresh raspberries and cranberries, with just the right amount of spice-rack spices. Delicious right out of the gate, this medium-bodied and refreshing wine will age well too.’ 96 points, Philip Rich
Giant Steps Pinot Noir
Vintage 2021
Sold Out Across Australia
Just 240 Bottles available (40 cases of 6)
RRP: €35.00 Bottle
20% Off: Just €28 when you buy 6 or 12 bottles
BUY NOW
How does it taste? A very bright, light-medium crimson red. A gentle waft of fresh raspberries and cranberries, with just the right amount of spice-rack spices. Delicious right out of the gate, this medium-bodied and refreshing wine will age well too.
How was it made? 2021 began as a challenging vintage in the Yarra Valley due to summer and autumn rains and cooler than average temperatures during the growing season. However this then led to a long slow ripening period which produced thicker skins, riper grapes and more concentrated flavours, resulting in Pinot Noir of excellent quality.
100% hand-picked, all fruit is chilled overnight to 12 degrees, cold soaked for 3 days, then allowed to warm in small open fermenters in order to kick start wild fermentation.Parcels were divided into either 100% “destemmed” or “whole bunch”; fermented, pressed, and matured in French oak (10% new, 90% older) for 8 months. Blended in October and then bottled by gravity without fining or filtration in November.
The Giant Steps Story
Located in Victoria’s Yarra Valley, Giant Steps is recognised as a global benchmark for cool climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The winery was established in 1998, one year after founder Phil Sexton arrived in the Yarra Valley in search of ideal sites to produce Chardonnay and Pinot Noir of purity and finesse. Enlisting the help of Chief Winemaker Steve Flamsteed who joined the winery in 2003, the two set to create a range of wines that personify the Yarra Valley. Today, the winery is regarded as one of the most progressive in Australia and is recognised globally for its pursuit of site expression. The wines are among the most anticipated releases from Australia and considered benchmarks for the Yarra Valley.
As ever, thanks for your support.
The WineOnline.ie Team
Giant Steps Pinot Noir
Vintage 2021
Sold Out Across Australia
Just 240 Bottles available (40 cases of 6)
RRP: €35.00 Bottle
20% Off: Just €28 when you buy 6 or 12 bottles
BUY NOW | 
