2017 Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir

Semi translucent bright dark red colour with a tinge of black to the edges and a vibrant crimson red hue. Alluring aromatics of violets, ripe dark cherries and strawberries gently laced with traces of anise sail through the olfactory senses showing great intensity. Nuances of faintly smoked cedar, forest floor, light clove and spice ensure. The gorgeous, supplely textured palate is a consummate example of power without weight. Mouthfilling yet at the same time elegant flavours of ripe cherries, red currant, strawberries and a touch of anise flow effortlessly over a back drop of faintly smoked vanillin cedar, a hint of dried clove, subtle fresh herb infusions and spice. Silky smooth, perfectly integrated tannins. Outstanding power wave with an exceptionally long spicy ripe cherry, red currant, strawberry, subtle anise, vanillin cedar and light dried clove aftertaste. Lots to like about this already delicious Pinot that will only get better over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 13.5%

Other Reviews…
From the Upper Yarra Valley, wild-fermented with 40% whole bunches/60% whole berries, minimum plunging de facto carbonic maceration, matured in French oak (25% new), gravity bottled. Bright crimson; the bouquet is a perfumed mix of red fruit blossom, the red berry flavours of the palate symbiotically joined with the bouquet. It is a wine of exquisite purity and detail in its texture and strength. As befits a pinot of this quality, the palate is very long, the peacock's tail opening on the finish and aftertaste. Drink by 2027.
98 points
James Halliday - Australian Wine Companion

“I reckon a really good year for Applejack”, says winemaker Steve Flamsteed, “rain came every ten days and just kind of kept everything very fresh”. He isn’t wrong. Such a lovely, thoughtful, progressive thinking human too. No wonder Giant Steps is at top of their game.Acid driven, light and fragrant style, has that sense of sleekness from fine pinot tannins yet is tightly wound, coiled and precise as it rolls through the palate. Red currants, cranberry, smoke and sweet earth to sniff on. Savoury edged red fruit to taste. Balanced, lithe, very finely wrought. Such elegance, and, importantly, incredible sense of energy in the wine. Now we can use the word outstanding. Drink 2018-2030.
96+ points
Mike Bennie – The Wine Front