2025 Giant Steps Coal River Pinot Noir, Southern Tasmania

From a vineyard planted in '99 in the Coal River Valley; 100% destemmed, 25% new oak. A deep crimson purple. Concentrated with dark cherry, blackberry, white and black pepper and a little crushed violet. The palate is compact and dense with firm, balanced tannins, creating a muscular wine that will reward at least six to 10 years in the cellar.

95+ points Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion

Tasmania is new territory for Giant Steps, but it makes perfect sense for a producer whose reputation has been built on cool climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The Coal River Valley gives winemaker Melanie Chester a very different landscape from the Yarra, with a genuinely cool maritime climate, long ripening season and Pinot that naturally leans towards perfume, freshness and fine structure. It is an exciting extension of the Giant Steps story rather than simply a Tasmanian version of the Yarra wines.

Southern Tasmania’s Coal River Valley is relatively dry by Tasmanian standards, with cool nights helping Pinot retain acidity as flavour develops slowly. The 2025 shows that cool climate character beautifully, favouring fragrant red fruit and savoury detail over richness. There is lovely delicacy here, but enough structure underneath to suggest it will become considerably more interesting with a few years in bottle.

Luminous ruby with a translucent edge, the bouquet starts with sour cherry, wild strawberry and cranberry, then moves towards violet, blood orange and dried mountain herbs. Pink peppercorn, clove, black tea and a faint smoky earthiness add another dimension. The palate is silky and energetic, with crunchy red cherry and raspberry running across fine, powdery tannins. There is a cool herbal note through the middle, followed by orange peel and gentle spice, finishing long, fragrant and mouthwatering.

Give it crispy duck with plum sauce, tuna tataki with ponzu, pork and prawn dumplings, teriyaki ocean trout or mushroom bao with sesame and spring onion. Our pick is the tuna tataki. The combination of cool red fruit, citrus and delicate tannin with barely seared tuna and salty ponzu should be superb.

Cellaring: Drink from 2027 to 2038.