Giant Steps Fatal Shore Pinot Noir 2022
In 1997 Phil Sexton arrived in the Yarra Valley in search of altitude, aged soils, slopes of exposure, regular rainfall and cool to cold night time temperatures and a gentle breeze off the protecting mountain ranges. Why, because he wanted to grow amazing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir fruit to make wines of purity and finesse.
In obsession with Single Vineyard Pinot Noirs from great Pinot growing areas around the world, Giant Steps 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.
Hand picked, the fruit is then immediately refrigerated and sailed across Bass Strait into the winery the following morning. They destem the D clone and cold soak for 3 – 4 days, then allow it to warm to kick start fermentation (Indigenous yeast) in a small open oak vat. The MV6 from the top of the hill was fermented as whole bunches Both parcels were matured in French oak – 25% new, 75% older – for 8 months in 225L barriques. Racked to blend, no fining, no filtration. Bottled by gravity. Natural acidity across both the clones in the top Pinot blocks was surprisingly high. Fruit was hand sorted in both vineyard and winery.
Deep-ish red with a good strong tint of purple; very correct ripe cherry aromas, clean and bright. The wine is rich and ripe with abundant dark cherry flavours laced with subtle spices, and the palate is full, fruit-sweet and rounded, with ample soft fine tannins and highly appealing flavours that linger on well. This will reward some cellar time. - Huon Hooke, The Real Review, 96 Points.
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Pinot Noir
Country - Australia
Region - Coal River Valley, Tasmania
Vintage - 2022
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13.5%