{"title":"Giant Steps","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eGiant Steps is firmly established among the Australian wine elite. It’s long been a quality-obsessed outfit, but if anything, its sale to Jackson Family Wines in '20 only sharpened the emphasis on quality. Single-vineyard chardonnay and pinot noir from across the upper and lower Yarra Valley are the foundation for the winery’s reputation, but really every winemaking excursion this winery takes has a habit of turning to gold. Long-term winemaker Steve Flamsteed, who is still involved, left the main winemaking post with the wines in impeccable shape; current head winemaker Melanie Chester has ensured that the changeover has been both seamless and positive. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e-CAMPBELL MATTINSON\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"2022-giant-steps-applejack-vineyard-pinot-noir-750ml","title":"2022 Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir 750ml","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"spec\"\u003eRegion: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYarra Valley, Victoria\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"subdetails\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"subdetail autocol\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"spec\"\u003eVintage Notes\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2022 was a high quality but low yielding season in the Yarra Valley. A very cool, wet and stormy spring resulted in some challenging conditions around flowering and hence very poor fruit set. The season proceeded to dry out into December, with a dry and warm Christmas period. This exacerbated the already small bunch weights, leading to bunches that weighed up to 40% lower than average. The mild summer meant long, slow ripening and flavour concentration throughout summer, with some well-placed rain in January refreshing the vineyards at just the right time. The strong canopies and low fruit load meant we sailed neatly into picking with very little disease or weather pressure affecting our picking decisions. The grapes from 2022 came off the vine with lovely concentration and flavour with great natural acidity and tannin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"subdetail autocol\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"spec\"\u003eVineyard Notes\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLocation: Gladysdale Planted: 1997 Elevation: 300 metres Soil type: Grey clay loam over black (basalt) volcanic base Aspect: East facing slopes Size: 12.5 Hectares Applejack Vineyard is a special site, located on a dramatic slope in the upper Yarra Valley. It 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). This vineyard is a special location for Pinot Noir in the Yarra Valley â€?its eastern aspect means the sun rises to warm and dry out the vineyard in the morning, but the vines are sheltered from the afternoon heat from the temperate rainforest that surrounds it. The earthen flavours combined with fine tannins, intense flavour and texture on the palate shows us the quality of the site for world class Pinot Noir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"subdetail autocol\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"spec\"\u003eWinemaking\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHand picked, all fruit is chilled overnight to 12 degrees Celsius. Fermented in small oak fermenters and stainless steel open vats. The Pommard parcels were fermented as whole bunches, while the remaining clones were destemmed to whole berries and cold soaked for five days. The resulting blend is almost 20% whole bunch. All parcels were matured in French oak 20% new, 80% older â€?for ten months in 225L barriques, Taransaud and Dargaud \u0026amp; Jaeglé. Racked to blend, no fining, no filtration. Bottled by gravity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"JC FINE WINES","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43330349924547,"sku":null,"price":81.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0610\/4714\/4643\/files\/2022GiantStepsApplejackVineyardPinotNoir750ml.png?v=1714735513"},{"product_id":"copy-of-2017-giant-steps-tosq-vineyard-pinot-noir-750-ml","title":"2021 Giant Steps 'Tarraford Vineyard' Chardonnay 750ml","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"tasting-notes\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tasting-notes__items__2 noBorder\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"grid-setting context-area\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout The Wine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Chardonnay comes from the iconic Tarraford vineyard in the Yarra. Located in a sheltered valley, this gorgeous vineyard has a distinctly cooler microclimate than its neighbouring sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's taut and crunchy, citrus fruit abundant with a delicious savoury oatmeal character on the back end.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEarlier drinking and less dense than its Chardonnay compatriots it is another knockout wine from the Giant Steps team.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"grid-setting context-area\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Giant Steps\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiant Steps is a premium Yarra Valley outfit founded by Phil Sexton and located in the in the township of Healesville. Since appointing Steve Flamsteed as his head winemaker and eventual business partner, Sexton and Flamsteed have developed a reputation for producing some of the region's finest examples of single vineyard wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2021 the wonderful Melanie Chester joined the team as the new head winemaker - the future sure is bright at Giant Steps!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the vineyard to the final bottled wine, every aspect of the Giant Steps process is geared towards making truly world-class wines. The focus is on what the Yarra does best - Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Shiraz\/Syrah and Bordeaux-variety blends - and showcasing the unique terroirs of some of the region's finest vineyards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePALATE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChardonnay with high natural acids (and low pH) expressing itself through its characteristically long palate, fine tight structure and a zesty lemon\/grapefruit finish.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eREGION NOTES\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLocated in a protected valley, Tarraford Vineyard has a discreet microclimate that is cooler than neighbouring sites. A diversity of aspect and clone provides multifaceted winemaking opportunities. Although located in a warmer part of the valley, the Chardonnay slope is south facing.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVINIFICATION\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e100% hand picked. Whole bunch pressed. The juice was then transferred directly to barrel by gravity with no settling, taking full gross lees. Fermented in eight 500L French oak puncheons. Bâtonnage in Spring, 30% malolactic fermentation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMATURATION\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMatured for 10 months in new and used French oak â€?20% new, 80% older.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVINTAGE NOTES\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e2021 was a terrific vintage for both vineyard quality and quantity. We had a wet spring followed by a healthy amount of sunshine and some well-timed rain in January, leading to large green healthy canopies. The overall temperature during the growing season was cooler than average which led to a long slow ripening period and great concentration of flavours and natural acidity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"JC FINE WINES","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43330448523459,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0610\/4714\/4643\/files\/2021GiantSteps_TarrafordVineyard_Chardonnay750mL.png?v=1714736706"},{"product_id":"copy-of-2019-giant-steps-primavera-vineyard-pinot-noir-750ml","title":"2022 Giant Steps Fatal Shore Pinot Noir 750ml","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"spec\"\u003eRegion: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCoal River Valley, Tasmania\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"subdetails\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"subdetail autocol\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"spec\"\u003eVintage Notes\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2022 season in Tasmania started cold and wet, with delayed budburst and flowering due to cold weather. Plant growth was slow due to cool conditions all the way up until just prior to flowering, when some well-timed heat spurred the vines along. Flowering was late, but consistent, going though in two weeks. Lots of shoot and crop thinning was done throughout the season, as well as some extensive leaf plucking due to the cool conditions. It was a very mild summer with only two days over 33 degrees Celsius experienced at the vineyard, which meant a long and slow ripening. The grapes were picked late for our vineyard, coming in on 22nd of April.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"subdetail autocol\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"spec\"\u003eVineyard Notes\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLocation: Coal River Valley Aspect: North-east facing Size: 34 Hectares Planted: 1999 Soil type: Calcareous \u0026amp; Triassic sandstone Under vine: Mv6, D5V12 In our obsession with Single Vineyard Pinot Noirs from great Pinot growing areas around the world, we have gone as far south (and as cold) as you can go in this country. Despite the cool temperatures, the sunlight hours are long and intense and we are intrigued by the depth of palate and colour that is possible from this landscape. While it is made with the Giant Steps gentle winemaking approach, the result is clearly a world apart in terroir. The Pinot Noir from Nocton vineyard have amazing density and texture, with powerful weight and concentration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"subdetail autocol\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"spec\"\u003eWinemaking\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHand picked, straight into a refrigerated container parked on the vineyard. The fruit is then immediately driven to Devonport and sailed across Bass Strait so we receive it into the winery the following morning. Fruit was destemmed and cold soaked for three â€?four days in open oak vats and open stainless steel fermenters. The MV6 (from the top of the hill) was fermented as whole bunches in an oak fermenter. Both parcels were matured in French oak â€?25% new, 75% older â€?for eight months in 225L barriques D\u0026amp;J, Vicard and Taransaud. Racked to blend, no fining, no filtration. Bottled by gravity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"JC FINE WINES","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43330448556227,"sku":null,"price":79.9,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0610\/4714\/4643\/files\/giant_steps_fatal_shore.png?v=1721694965"},{"product_id":"2019-giant-steps-primavera-vineyard-d-pinot-noir-750ml","title":"2019 Giant Steps Primavera Vineyard Pinot Noir 750ml","description":"\u003cp\u003eCritic tasting note: \"This vintage of single-vineyard “Primavera” Pinot is as vibrant as the vivid cherry hue suggests. It's a more delicate, drink-now drop than this producer's other single-vineyard Pinots. The wine explodes from the glass with red-berry and stalky cinnamon-bark aromas, followed by gentler dried herb, floral and warm stone notes. The palate is fresh and bright, with a well-threaded tug of textural tannins. Drink now–2026. Christina Pickard\" - 93\/100, Wine Enthusiast\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout The Wine\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrimavera is an outlier in the Giant Steps Single Vineyard series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis vineyard sits on red clay in the Upper Yarra, oddly a site that excels in warmer vintages. Red soils, undulating hills, the dedicated Lou Primavera tending it daily.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wine released from Flamsteed in 2019 is incredibly floral and seductive - perhaps the softest and most sensual of the Pinot Noirs this year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStunning drinking now or for the cellar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Giant Steps\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiant Steps is a premium Yarra Valley outfit founded by Phil Sexton located in the in the township of Healesville. Since appointing Steve Flamsteed as his head winemaker and eventual business partner, Sexton and Flamsteed have developed a reputation for producing some of the region's finest examples of single vineyard wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the vineyard to the final bottled wine, every aspect of the Giant Steps process is geared towards making truly world-class wines. The focus is on what the Yarra does best - Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Shiraz\/Syrah and Bordeaux-variety blends - and showcasing the unique terroirs of some of the region's finest vineyards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor three years running and Spirit Magazine have named them as one of the Top 100 wineries in the world, and Flamsteed capped off an amazing run by being named Gourmet Traveller Wine's 2016 Winemaker of the Year, another jewel in the Giant Steps crown. Their ultra modern cellar door is one of the must-visit experiences for any wine tourist stopping through the Yarra Valley.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"vic Liquors Pty Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43330456256707,"sku":"SK52400285","price":99.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0610\/4714\/4643\/files\/2019GiantStepsPrimaveraVineyarddPinotNoir.png?v=1784150428"},{"product_id":"2022-giant-steps-yarra-valley-pinot-noir-750ml","title":"2022 Giant Steps Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 750ml","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"award-title\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSingle Price: $37.99\/bottle\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"award-title\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e6pk single price: $36.67\/bottle\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"award-title\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"award-title\"\u003e\"A 50\/50% mix of upper and lower Yarra fruit. Fermented with mainly whole berries and matured in French oak (10% new). A bright ruby crimson. Expressive with aromas of satsuma plums, strawberry coulis, fennel seeds and a hint of star anise. With its core of ripe yet well-delineated fruit and firm-ish, balanced tannins, this is more concentrated and muscular than the 2021. It will age well, too, for those that find themselves with a bottle seven to 10 years from now.\" - Philip Rich\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"award-date-description\"\u003e96 points, May 2023.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"award-date-description\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"award-date-description\"\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"subdetails\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"subdetail autocol\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"spec\"\u003eVintage Notes\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2022 was a high quality but low yielding season in the Yarra Valley. A very cool, wet and stormy spring resulted in some challenging conditions around flowering and hence very poor fruit set. The season proceeded to dry out into December, with a dry and warm Christmas period. This exacerbated the already small bunch weights, leading to bunches that weighed up to 40% lower than normal years. The mild summer meant long, slow ripening and flavour concentration throughout summer, with some well-placed rain in January refreshing the vineyards at just the right time. The strong canopies and low fruit load meant we sailed neatly into picking with very little disease or weather pressure affecting our picking decisions. The grapes from 2022 came off the vine with lovely concentration and flavour with great natural acidity and tannin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"subdetail autocol\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"spec\"\u003eVineyard Notes\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSourced from vineyards across the Yarra Valley. 50% sourced from the upper Yarra ranges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"subdetail autocol\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"spec\"\u003eWinemaking\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll Giant Steps fruit is 100% hand-picked. Our grapes are then chilled overnight before processing. The Pinot is either fermented as 100% whole bunches or 100% destemmed with whole berries. The whole bunch treatments have a warm start to fermentation, with minimal mixing throughout the start of fermentation to promote carbonic maceration. These ferments are then left for up to 21 days on skins before pressing. The destemmed and whole berry batches are held cold at 4â„?for four days before the ferment is allowed to heat up and start fermentation naturally with indigenous yeasts. Cold soaked for 3 days, then allowed to warm in small open fermenters in order to kick start wild fermentation. Parcels are matured in French oak (10% new, 90% older) for eight months. Blended in October and then bottled by gravity without fining or filtration in November.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"subdetail autocol\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"spec\"\u003eFood Matches\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTurmeric and garlic roasted chicken with couscous. Mushroom Risotto with roasted enoki. BBQ Quail with five spice, fried spring onion and garlic flakes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"JC FINE WINES","offers":[{"title":"1 bottle","offer_id":43869949853891,"sku":null,"price":37.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"6 bottles","offer_id":43869949886659,"sku":null,"price":220.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0610\/4714\/4643\/files\/2022GiantStepsYarraValleyPinotNoir750ml_ba415aa1-fc0d-49d4-9c50-6a4f94b9b394.png?v=1727752781"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0610\/4714\/4643\/collections\/giant_Step.png?v=1721097283","url":"https:\/\/www.sessionsliquorstores.com.au\/collections\/giant-steps.oembed","provider":"SESSIONS AT ARDEN","version":"1.0","type":"link"}