Giant Steps, 'Applejack Vineyard' Pinot Noir
Country: Australia Region: Victoria
Varietal: Pinot Noir Vintage: 2021
Category: Red Wine Style: Dry
Producer: Giant Steps
"The Sexton vineyard is owned and run by Phil Sexton, the founder and owner of Giant Steps. Situated next to Coldstream Hills and Yarra Yering, it is in the heart of the Yarra, where mean soils produce miserly yields, leading in turn to intense and concentrated wines. The Applejack vineyard is situated in the Upper Yarra, where soils are generally deep and more volcanic in origin. Despite this, the Applejack vineyard is on a friable, clay soil, where root penetration is easy for the vines. This reduces vigour and yields, making it ideally suited to Pinot Noir. The site elevation is just under 300 metres, but its proximity to dense temperate rainforest makes this site significantly cooler than Sexton and Tarraford. Soils in the Tarraford vineyard are a clay/loam duplex and contain a fairly solid ironstone content. The root profiles are deep and vertical, which means the vines are accessing material deep into the soil subsurface. The Chardonnay that comes off Tarraford is highly perfumed, and there is a citrus peel element that is characteristic in Chardonnay from this site irrespective of vintage conditions.
Recent additions to the portfolio include three Single Vineyard wines from the Primavera and Lusatia Park vineyards. The Primavera vineyard sits at an elevation of 240 metres above sea level. The red friable soil is critical in shaping the complex structure and pronounced perfume of the wine. The Giant Steps team have a long-standing relationship with the Primavera family, having sourced fruit from the vineyard for some years. The Lusatia Park vineyard was established in 1985 on the Lone Star Creek in the Upper Yarra Valley. Its north-facing aspect, deep free-draining red soils and close-planted vines ensure intense varietal flavours derived from long, consistent ripening. At 220 metres above sea level, this elevated, marine influenced site enjoys significantly cooler conditions to those on the valley floor, lending itself to more elegant wine styles.
The 2015 vintage may well prove to be their best vintage yet. Winemaker Steve Flamsteed commented that he cannot remember a year where good yields were matched in harmony with such pristine fruit quality. It will be exciting to see the progression of these wines over the coming 12 months and beyond."
Product Features: Sustainable; Vegan; Vegetarian
Product Allergens: Sulphites Label
Winemaker: Steve Flamsteed & Julian Grounds
Vineyards:
Applejack Vineyard was planted in 2001 by highly respected viticulturist Ray Guerin. Today it is meticulously managed by his son Mark. The vineyard is situated in the Upper Yarra Valley, to the south-east of the traditional valley floor. The higher altitudes result in cooler growing conditions - ideal for Pinot Noir. Applejack Vineyard is located on a dramatic, north-east-facing slope with close-planted vines.
Vinification:
The Pinot Noir is 100% hand-picked and hand-sorted. Is it fermented in 4,000 litre open oak vats, with 60% whole bunches. Rack and return (delestage) takes place by gravity, with some light hand plunges and punching down. 100% of the wine goes through malolactic fermentation. It is then aged for 11 months in new and used French barriques - 25% new, 75% older. The wine is bottled by gravity, with no filtration at bottling.
Tasting Notes:
Very herbaceous on the nose with smoky cherry fruit and pronounced green bell pepper aromas. The youthful palate shows complexity with cherries, spiced oak and fine tannins. A wine with great potential to develop and shine.
Food Suggestion: Enjoy with grilled pork loin or pan fried salmon.
Closure:Stelvin ABV:13.5% Acidity [g/l]: 5.94
