98 Points – James Halliday

My Wine Man on Giant Steps
Giant Steps is one of the Yarra Valley's most celebrated producers, and the Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir is their most extraordinary wine.

Named after the Applejack eucalypts that surround the vineyard — planted at Gladysdale in 1997 — this is a single-vineyard Pinot of breathtaking complexity and precision.

James Halliday awarded it 98 points and called it "simply irresistible." It is hard to argue.

This is for the serious Pinot lover who wants the very best Australia has to offer.

The Applejack is made from seven clones — 114, 115, MV6, D2V5, D5V15, Pommard and Abel — with 15% whole bunches and 20–25% new French barriques.

The result is a wine of extraordinary depth and harmony.

If you want to understand what makes the Yarra Valley one of Australia's greatest Pinot regions, this is the bottle.

Tasting Notes
Like a Mahler symphony — all of the elements in perfect harmony.

Aromas of crushed rose petals, red and black cherries, satsuma plums and subtle hints of sandalwood and fennel fronds, with a little charcuterie and a discreet touch of wet stone.

On the palate, the most concentrated, structured and saline Applejack in memory, yet you barely notice the tannins due to the core of pure raspberry and cherry fruit.

A gentle sappiness on the long, lingering finish.

Simply irresistible.

Food Pairing
A 98‑point Yarra Valley Pinot like this demands game with presence. We love it with Grass Fed Cape Grim Sirloin Roast from My Meat Man — herb‑seared medium‑rare, the wild, iodine‑rich meat perfectly matching the wine's rose‑petal aromatics, red and black cherry, sandalwood, fennel and subtle charcuterie notes. A pairing that does justice to both.

Why This Is a Smart Buy
98 points from James Halliday.

Seven clones. A single vineyard planted in 1997.

The Applejack is one of the most critically acclaimed Pinot Noirs ever made in Australia — and at HK$599, it is a serious collector's bottle that is also drinking magnificently right now.

Looking for a Different Style?

• 2024 Giant Steps Yarra Valley Pinot Noir — more accessible expression of the estate style
• Tolpuddle Vineyard Pinot Noir — 97pts Halliday; Tasmania's benchmark single-vineyard Pinot
• 2023 Tolpuddle Vineyard Pinot Noir — 96pts Halliday; slightly earlier drinking, more red-fruited expression