Giant Steps 2021 Pinot Noir Applejack, Yarra Valley
Item Number: 17 65 225 21
Giant Steps 2021 Pinot Noir Applejack, Yarra Valley
98 Point New Vintage of #1 Wine of 2022!
Quick Taste
- New Vintage of The #1 Wine of 2022 WE!
- 98 Points!
- Single Vineyard Fruit
- 'Stunning, with terrific focus and intensity'
- Limited!
About Giant Steps 2021 Pinot Noir Applejack, 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. 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.
98 Pts James Halliday, Wine Companion
Named after the Applejack eucalypts that surround the vineyard, which was planted at Gladysdale in 1997. Seven clones including 114, 115, MV6, D2V5, D5V15, Pommard and Abel! I've long considered the Applejack vineyard to be one of the greatest sites for pinot in Australia and I'm not sure I've seen a better version than the 2021. A deep, bright, crimson purple. Maraschino cherry into plum, there's an exotic and riotous amalgam of Asian five-spice and a gentle savoury, umami character. What elevates this vintage is the concentration, along with Applejack's 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 wine's track record suggests you'll thank me if you still have some to drink 7–10 years from now, if not longer. Special.
96 Pts Wine Spectator
Oozing with spices and perfume, this stunning red shows polish, featuring green cardamom, clove, lavender and nutmeg details that add an aromatic overtone to the wild berry, cranberry and strawberry pastry flavors. Drink now through 2034. 1,372 cases made, 200 cases imported.
96 Pts James Suckling
Brashly spicy and complex, this has aromas of espresso, blueberries, toasted spices and grilled bread, as well as forest wood and violets. The palate delivers alluring depth and a round, fleshy build. Acidity explodes on the finish, releasing fresh red-cherry and blueberry fruit flavors. Wonderfully layered and complete. Drink over the next eight years. Screw cap.
95 Pts Robert Parker
The Applejack Vineyard is planted across the hill, at the same altitude as the Primavera Vineyard on gray clay over mudstone, and picked within a few days of that site. The 2021 Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir included 50% whole bunch in the mix and is a blend of seven different clones. This shows wonderful clarity and poise—it is precise and layered with energy and life. The acid pulses through the phenolic texture in the mouth. It was originally a sparkling vineyard, down the hill from Wombat Creek, situated in an eastern-facing bowl that captures the morning sunlight. Mel Chester (head of winemaking and viticulture) talks about the smell of the tea trees in the vineyard, explaining that "there's always a couple of Wedgetail eagles circling, it's a magic place." The evocative description of the vineyard carries through into the wine, which shows a satisfying, delicious resolution of plump ripe fruit and beautifully resolved tannin. Balance 101. Drink: 2022-2037.
Wine Details
- Alcohol % 14.0%
- 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