Giant Steps Applejack Pinot Noir Yarra Valley 2024
Region: Victoria
Sub Region: Yarra Valley
Variety: Pinot Noir
Country: Australia
Vintage: 2024
The Wine
The Vineyard was planted by respected viticulturist Ray Guerin in 1997. The basalt based underlying volcanic soil and rock produce a characteristically fine yet extended, spicy and firm palate. The higher altitude results in a cooler and extended growing season, ideally suited to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (3-4 weeks later than central Yarra Valley). The 2024 was hand-picked, fermented with 40% whole bunches for aromatic lift, and matured in French oak (20% new) for 10 months.
Hand-picked, Fermented in a combination of small oak fermenters and stainless-steel open vats. The Pommard clone parcels were fermented as whole bunches, while the remaining clones were destemmed to whole berries and cold soaked for four days before fermentation started naturally. Bottled by gravity. No fining. No filtration.
Cellared Says
The 2023 was brilliant, if just a little too evolved. The ‘24 is a touch more serious and will love a little time in the cellar. For the price it’s value x quality metric is right at the top of the tree.
Reviews
"From the Applejack vineyard, planted on grey clay soils at 300m in Gladysdale in '97 by Ray Guerin. 40% whole bunches and 40% less wine in '24. Darkly fruited and more intense than the '23 with aromas of wild blackberry, raspberry, briar, and just a hint of sous bois. On the palate, this is as concentrated and mouth-filling as the bouquet suggests it will be, culminating with succulent, grippy tannins on the long, tapering finish. It's a touch more 'sauvage' and a little less floral than normal but, even in this warmer vintage, one of Australia's most celebrated pinot noirs is in impressive form."
98 points - Philip Rich Halliday Wine Companion
Region: Victoria
Sub Region: Yarra Valley
Variety: Pinot Noir
Country: Australia
Vintage: 2024
The Wine
The Vineyard was planted by respected viticulturist Ray Guerin in 1997. The basalt based underlying volcanic soil and rock produce a characteristically fine yet extended, spicy and firm palate. The higher altitude results in a cooler and extended growing season, ideally suited to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (3-4 weeks later than central Yarra Valley). The 2024 was hand-picked, fermented with 40% whole bunches for aromatic lift, and matured in French oak (20% new) for 10 months.
Hand-picked, Fermented in a combination of small oak fermenters and stainless-steel open vats. The Pommard clone parcels were fermented as whole bunches, while the remaining clones were destemmed to whole berries and cold soaked for four days before fermentation started naturally. Bottled by gravity. No fining. No filtration.
Cellared Says
The 2023 was brilliant, if just a little too evolved. The ‘24 is a touch more serious and will love a little time in the cellar. For the price it’s value x quality metric is right at the top of the tree.
Reviews
"From the Applejack vineyard, planted on grey clay soils at 300m in Gladysdale in '97 by Ray Guerin. 40% whole bunches and 40% less wine in '24. Darkly fruited and more intense than the '23 with aromas of wild blackberry, raspberry, briar, and just a hint of sous bois. On the palate, this is as concentrated and mouth-filling as the bouquet suggests it will be, culminating with succulent, grippy tannins on the long, tapering finish. It's a touch more 'sauvage' and a little less floral than normal but, even in this warmer vintage, one of Australia's most celebrated pinot noirs is in impressive form."
98 points - Philip Rich Halliday Wine Companion
Region: Victoria
Sub Region: Yarra Valley
Variety: Pinot Noir
Country: Australia
Vintage: 2024
The Wine
The Vineyard was planted by respected viticulturist Ray Guerin in 1997. The basalt based underlying volcanic soil and rock produce a characteristically fine yet extended, spicy and firm palate. The higher altitude results in a cooler and extended growing season, ideally suited to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (3-4 weeks later than central Yarra Valley). The 2024 was hand-picked, fermented with 40% whole bunches for aromatic lift, and matured in French oak (20% new) for 10 months.
Hand-picked, Fermented in a combination of small oak fermenters and stainless-steel open vats. The Pommard clone parcels were fermented as whole bunches, while the remaining clones were destemmed to whole berries and cold soaked for four days before fermentation started naturally. Bottled by gravity. No fining. No filtration.
Cellared Says
The 2023 was brilliant, if just a little too evolved. The ‘24 is a touch more serious and will love a little time in the cellar. For the price it’s value x quality metric is right at the top of the tree.
Reviews
"From the Applejack vineyard, planted on grey clay soils at 300m in Gladysdale in '97 by Ray Guerin. 40% whole bunches and 40% less wine in '24. Darkly fruited and more intense than the '23 with aromas of wild blackberry, raspberry, briar, and just a hint of sous bois. On the palate, this is as concentrated and mouth-filling as the bouquet suggests it will be, culminating with succulent, grippy tannins on the long, tapering finish. It's a touch more 'sauvage' and a little less floral than normal but, even in this warmer vintage, one of Australia's most celebrated pinot noirs is in impressive form."
98 points - Philip Rich Halliday Wine Companion
