2023 Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Pinot Noir 750ml

Region: Yarra Valley, Victoria

Vintage Notes    
The 2023 Yarra Valley vintage was small but of exceptional quality, marked by a cool spring, mild growing season, and cool nights with moderate to high rainfall. This resulted in one of the coolest and latest harvests on record, with picking starting two and a half weeks later than average. The grapes showed impressive fruit concentration and vibrant natural acidity.

Vineyard Notes    
Location: Gruyere | Planted: 1997 | Elevation: 130 - 210 meters | Soil: Grey clay loam over granite/ironstone | Aspect: North-facing slopes | Size: 30 hectares.  
Situated on the steep north-facing slopes of the Warramate Ranges, the Sexton Vineyard is renowned in the Yarra Valley. The thin topsoil forces roots into gravelly loam above rocky clay, creating low yields and intensely flavored fruit. Pinot Noir from this site, particularly the G5V15 clone, thrives in the warmer conditions, producing wines with rich texture, dark cherry, and plum notes, sweet spice, and youthful tannins.

Winemaking    
Handpicked grapes were fermented in small oak fermenters and stainless steel open vats. MV6 parcels underwent whole bunch fermentation, while other clones were destemmed to whole berries and cold-soaked for four days. The final blend contains 21% whole bunch fermented grapes, aged for 10 months in French oak (25% new). The wine remained on its lees without movement, and was bottled by gravity with no fining or filtration.