2023 Giant Steps Coal River Pinot Noir

Halliday Wine Companion's Winery of the Year!
"Giant Steps, right now, breathes rare air. It’s been an outstanding winery for a long time, but the combination of energy and expertise – and no doubt plenty more besides – that winemaker Melanie Chester has brought since she arrived at the winery in November 2021 has frankly been breathtaking... In short, it’s a thrilling range to drink from."
- Campbell Mattinson (Halliday Wine Companion)

The 2023 Giant Steps Coal River Pinot Noir is a rich and powerful expression of Pinot Noir from Tasmania's Coal River Valley.

Sourced from the Nocton vineyard, this wine reflects the unique terroir of southern Tasmania, where long sunlight hours and cool temperatures contribute to an impressive depth of flavour and colour. Giant Steps’ winemaker, Melanie Chester, and her team have crafted this wine with their signature approach, while also embracing the distinct characteristics of this remote region.

The 2023 season was cool and wet, providing ideal conditions for slow ripening and resulting in generous, healthy bunches. Handpicked and swiftly transported across the Bass Strait, the grapes arrived in Healesville fresh and vibrant. The winemaking process involved both whole-bunch and destemmed fermentation in a mix of open oak and stainless-steel fermenters. The wine was then matured for eight months in French oak barriques, 25% of which were new, to enhance its complexity.

Expect aromas of dark fruits, violets, sarsaparilla, and bay leaf. The palate is richly fruited with layers of dark berries and a hint of spice, complemented by firm tannins and a bright acidity. The result is a wine of remarkable density and texture, with a powerful presence that promises to age gracefully.

The 2023 Giant Steps Coal River Pinot Noir is a compelling addition to the Giant Steps range, offering a taste of Tasmania's unique viticultural landscape.

96 points
"Full aromatic lift of raspberry, black cherry and vanilla beans. Palate is full of intense black and red berry fruits with hints of dried herbs, forest floor and vanilla adding layers and character. Tannins work quietly in the background in harmony with a fine acid line, lifting and driving the palate very long and finishing with a flurry of complexity and character"
- Stuart Knox (The Real Review)

95 points
"With its aromas dark fruits, sarsaparilla, violets and bay leaf, this is the big personality in the Giant Step's pinot range! Equally flamboyant on the palate, which is richly fruited and balanced with ripe, muscular tannins ensuring this will be long lived, too."
- Philip Rich (Halliday Wine Companion)