2021 PINOT NOIR, Primavera Vineyard, Giant Steps. Yarra Valley, Australia

Yarra Valley, north of Melbourne, is the leading ‘cool climate’ area in Australia for both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
The Primavera family’s 12.5 hectare vineyard is in the upper Yarra Valley at Woori Yallock, planted 2001 on red soil.

Pinot Noir, about half fermented as whole bunches, in oak vats and small open fermenters; matured in oak for 8 months (25% new oak)

In 1997 Phil Sexton set up Innocent Bystander and Giant Steps in the same winery in the trendy town of Healsville, an hour from Melbourne, with a cool bakery and an urban vibe. As he had previously done with Devil’s Lair winery and Little Creatures Brewery in W.A., he has now sold both brands but he is still very much involved with Giant Steps.
Winemaker for Giant Steps since 2003 has been the ultra-talented Steve Flamsteed, who remains as a consultant but has handed over the reins to Melanie Chester.

Young, of course, but this has excellent purity of fruit and is accessible already. It also has the trademark herbaceous, ‘lifted’ aromatic quality that comes from the now fashionable use of whole bunches during fermentation – but in this case it melds into the whole stylishly.