Giant Steps Applejack Pinot Noir

When John Coltrane split with Miles Davis in the late 50s, he wasted little time releasing his visionary Giant Steps album. Winemaker (and equally successful brew master) Phil Sexton was inspired by the album and Coltrane’s foresight. When Sexton sold his Devil’s Lair vineyard in Margaret River to relocate and replant in the Yarra Valley, he named his wine in Coltrane’s honor. Sexton chose Yarra Valley because of his admiration for the long aging and fine boned wines produced by the new generation of wine growers reestablishing this historic wine region. Giant Steps has forged a reputation for delivering some of Australia’s most consistent, over-performing, varietal wines reflected by its ongoing, praise-worthy global acclaim including being a six times Wine & Spirits Top 100 Wineries of the Year. Giant Steps focuses primarily on the distinctive expression of single vineyard sites in the Yarra Valley. This wine is Pinot Noir sourced from the Applejack vineyard all the grapes were hand picked chilled overnight. Then the grapes were fermented in small oak fermenters and stainless steel open vats with indigenous yeasts. Certain parcels were allow to ferment naturally, All parcels were matured in French oak, 25% new for 8 months. The wine was bottled with no fining and no filtration. Ive long considered the Applejack vineyard to be one of the greatest sites for pinot in Australia and Im not sure Ive seen a better version than the 2021. A deep, bright, crimson purple. Maraschino cherry into plum, theres an exotic and riotous amalgam of Asian five-spice and a gentle savoury, umami character. What elevates this vintage is the concentration, along with Applejacks trademark perfume and spice. Just so vibrant and fresh on the palate, the tannins are both silky and plentiful. You will have no problems opening and enjoying this now, but the wines track record suggests youll thank me if you still have some to drink 7–10 years from now, if not longer. 98 Points - Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion