Giant Steps 2019 Pinot Noir, Sexton Vyd., Yarra Valley
Item Number: 17 65 333 19
Giant Steps 2019 Pinot Noir, Sexton Vyd., Yarra Valley
Stunning Pinot Noir from an Award Winning winery!
Quick Taste
- 96 Points
- Single Vineyard sourced
- "soulful, complex style"
- Jazz fans take note!
About Giant Steps 2019 Pinot Noir, Sexton Vyd., Yarra Valley
When John Coltrane split with Miles Davis in the late 50's, 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, 2013 – 2018. Giant Steps focuses primarily on the distinctive expression of single vineyard sites in the Yarra Valley.
This wine is Pinot Noir sourced from the Sexton vineyard. The vineyard is on a north facing hillside site, rising from 425 to nearly 700 feet above the valley floor. A relatively cool site, management of Sexton vineyard is intensive with all tasks carefully done by hand. Three clones of Pinot Noir are planted; MV6, Pommard and 115.
The 115 clone grapes were fermented as 100% whole bunch. They were cold soaked for 3 – 4 days, then allowed to warm to kick start fermentation with indigenous yeast, while the Pommard and MV6 were destemmed, soaked cold for 5 days, then allowed to warm gently into a wild fermentation. All parcels were matured in French oak – 25% new for 8 months in 225L barriques. Racked to blend, no fining, no filtration. Bottled by gravity.
James Suckling scored this 96 points saying "This has soulful, complex style with a fresh blueberry and dark-cherry edge, some earthy, forest wood and stony elements. Subtle aromas. The palate opens nicely, peeling away in layers of powerful red cherries and delivering a rich, flavorful impression and layers of fine, compressed tannin. Long finish. Best from 2023."
Wine Spectator scored this 95 points saying "Polished, vibrant and generous, with black cherry, red licorice and maraschino cherry flavors that mingle with details of white tea, brown sugar and fresh loamy accents, lingering on the long, expressive finish, with supple tannins. Drink now."
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, 2013 – 2018. Giant Steps focuses primarily on the distinctive expression of single vineyard sites in the Yarra Valley.
This wine is Pinot Noir sourced from the Sexton vineyard. The vineyard is on a north facing hillside site, rising from 425 to nearly 700 feet above the valley floor. A relatively cool site, management of Sexton vineyard is intensive with all tasks carefully done by hand. Three clones of Pinot Noir are planted; MV6, Pommard and 115.
The 115 clone grapes were fermented as 100% whole bunch. They were cold soaked for 3 – 4 days, then allowed to warm to kick start fermentation with indigenous yeast, while the Pommard and MV6 were destemmed, soaked cold for 5 days, then allowed to warm gently into a wild fermentation. All parcels were matured in French oak – 25% new for 8 months in 225L barriques. Racked to blend, no fining, no filtration. Bottled by gravity.
James Suckling scored this 96 points saying "This has soulful, complex style with a fresh blueberry and dark-cherry edge, some earthy, forest wood and stony elements. Subtle aromas. The palate opens nicely, peeling away in layers of powerful red cherries and delivering a rich, flavorful impression and layers of fine, compressed tannin. Long finish. Best from 2023."
Wine Spectator scored this 95 points saying "Polished, vibrant and generous, with black cherry, red licorice and maraschino cherry flavors that mingle with details of white tea, brown sugar and fresh loamy accents, lingering on the long, expressive finish, with supple tannins. Drink now."
Wine Details
- Alcohol % 13.5%
- Bottle Size 750 ml
- Wine Type Red
- Country Australia
Need help? Talk with a Wine Concierge
We’ll help you make the perfect selection
Call 800.962.8463