2025 Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir 750ml

The 2025 Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir is a superb single-vineyard Pinot Noir from Gladysdale in the Upper Yarra Valley. Applejack is one of Giant Steps’ most distinguished sites, producing Pinot Noir with exceptional perfume, precision, spice and structure. The 2025 release has already received an outstanding 98+ points from Philip Rich for Halliday Wine Companion, who described it as possibly the best Applejack Pinot he has tasted.

Applejack Vineyard was planted in 1997 by respected viticulturist Ray Guerin. Located at 180–260 metres elevation on east-facing slopes, the 12.5-hectare vineyard features grey-brown clay loam over basalt-derived volcanic soil and rock. Its higher altitude creates a cooler, longer growing season, typically three to four weeks later than the central Yarra Valley, ideally suited to Pinot Noir.

The fruit is hand-picked and chilled overnight before fermentation with indigenous yeasts. Individual parcels are handled according to clone: MV6 is fermented as whole bunches, while Pommard, Abel and D clones are destemmed and cold-soaked for five days before wild fermentation. The parcels are matured for eight months in 225L French oak barriques, with 25% new oak and 75% seasoned oak. The wine is then blended and bottled by gravity without fining or filtration.

The 2025 Applejack combines beautifully perfumed red and dark cherry fruit with raspberry, florals and fragrant spice, complemented by subtle savoury and earthy complexity. The palate is concentrated yet finely controlled, with bright acidity, firm but polished tannins and the spicy, extended character for which the vineyard is known. There is impressive depth without heaviness, finishing long, energetic and precise.

This is a serious, age-worthy expression of Upper Yarra Pinot Noir, combining the perfume and delicacy of the variety with Applejack’s distinctive structure and mineral drive. Giant Steps indicates a peak drinking and cellaring potential of approximately two to ten years.

Technical Details: Yarra Valley, Victoria | Pinot Noir | Single Vineyard | 750ml | Hand-Picked | Indigenous Yeast | MV6 Whole Bunch | 8 Months French Oak | 25% New Oak | Unfined & Unfiltered