Trophy Winner - 2025 Pinot Noir Challenge | 98 Points - Philip Rich Giant Steps has forged a reputation as one of the Yarra Valley's leading wineries, with their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay consistently among the nation's finest examples. Named 'Winery Of The Year' in the 2025 Halliday Wine Companion, Giant Steps continues to produce some stunning cool-climate wines. The 2024 Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir was recently crowned Trophy Winner at the 2025 Pinot Noir Challenge. The expert judging panel awarded this prestigious trophy after assessing more than 300 entries from 17 regions across the country. Another meticulously made Pinot Noir, this delivers a level of purity, poise and complexity rarely found. Always in high demand, our limited remaining stock will not last long. "98 Points. 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."- Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion.
