The 2023 season in Tasmania started cold and wet building a solid foundation with strong, healthy and generous bunch numbers. Plant growth was slow due to the 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. 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 a few days reaching over 30 degrees Celsius experienced at the vineyard, which meant a long and slow ripening. The grapes were picked late for our vineyard, coming into the winery late April.
From the Nocton vineyard in the Coal River Valley. Hand picked into a refrigerated container by 10.30am to make the boat to the mainland; 20% whole bunches, 35% new barriques. A deep crimson purple. 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.