Giant Steps : Primavera Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022

The Primavera Vineyard is in Woori Yallock in Yarra Valley, down at 230 meters in elevation. The vineyard faces north, but the MV6 clone is planted on an east-facing slope and the 115 and G clones on a more southerly facing slope. This is the perfumed, pretty wine in the lineup, with high natural acidity, planted on red clay loam. In total this year, only 15% whole bunch was used in the cuvée. The 2022 Primavera Vineyard Pinot Noir leads with raspberries, pink peppercorn, layers of pomegranate, Boscobel rose and raspberry leaf tea, just loads of luscious flowers and minerals in the mouth. Heaps going on. Svelte and perfumed, it is a beautiful wine. Lovely! 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

Impressive for its purity and fleshy black cherry flavors, with notes of pomegranate, strawberry and fresh herbs like thyme, sage and rosemary on a crisp, juicy frame. Accents of cherry cola and red licorice, as well as polished tannins, leave a lasting impression on the finish. Drink now through 2035. 900 cases made, 150 cases imported.

Intensely perfumed, with Turkish delight and spicy nutmeg to the vibrant, lolly-like raspberry and blueberry fruit. The tannins are a constant—not aggressive, but currently sitting a little apart from the fruit. Always picked a week after Applejack, this Upper Yarra vineyard was planted in 2001 to the MV6, 115 and little-known G8V3 clones by Lou Primavera. The north-, northeast- and south-facing red clay loam slopes sit at 230m.

MV6 and 115 clones, planted in a cool spot at 230 meters. The cool, wet year is mitigated to an extent by a good portion of whole berries delivering sumptuous florals and oodles of red forest fruits. Very pretty, reminiscent of a high-quality cru Beaujolais. Silky tannins. The acidity is gentle and peppery. The finish is svelte and joyous. Drink now. Preferably in large drafts, it’s that delicious.

Full screwcapped bottle just 1,283 g. Clones MV6, G8V3 and 115 planted at 230 m in red clay loam facing north and north-east in Hoddles Creek by the Primavera family in 2001. Picked end March after a low-cropping season. Fruit chilled overnight and then fermented – part whole bunch – in open-topped stainless-steel fermenters. Clones were kept separate and spent 10 to 14 days on skins. Aged on lees in barriques (20% new) for 10 months before blending and bottling unfined and unfiltered. Pale garnet. Notably pure, juicy fruit on the nose. 'Drink me', it says. No heaviness, no obvious sweetness, very fresh, appetising fruit. Pretty, floral aromas and a level of acidity (6.2 g/l) that is, just, not too much. Good line through this very pure wine with some very fine tannin still in evidence. Well done! (JR)

The leading release of Pinot Noir from Giant Steps in this vintage is the 2022 Pinot Noir Primavera Vineyard. Beautifully perfumed, it teases as it opens up with subtle aromas of potpourri, fennel seed, dark cherry and warm earth. Elegant and ethereal, it delivers wild and intriguing flavors of strawberry, aged meats and spice, with herbal undertones. The finish is exceptional and promises to offer plenty more with time in the cellar.