Tag Archives: Yarra valley

Giant Steps Pinot Noir 2021, Yarra Valley, Australia

18 Saturday Nov 2023

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


Next up at the 33rd virtual tasting was this lovely Pinot.  I drank this a few months ago at a birthday dinner and loved it, hence the re-taste for our group.  It’s a pale garnet color with medium viscosity (13.5% ABV).  Medium (+) intensity aromas of strawberry kick things off followed by barnyard funk, cranberry, strawberry, strawberry shortcake and ‘cardboard box filled with cherries’ from one of the tasters.  On the palate it is dry with medium (+) acidity and medium (-) tannins.  A Medium (-) body carries the delicious cherry, strawberry, baking spice and pomegranate flavors through to a medium length finish.  I enjoyed tasting this wine again, perhaps not as much as the first time but gave it 15 points on our sheet and a 92 rating.  For $43 it gets 4 stars from me.  Drink with lighter meat dishes till 2030.  Yummy stuff.  Salut….

Giant Steps Pinot Noir 2021, Yarra Valley, Australia

12 Saturday Aug 2023

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Yesterday was my cousin’s birthday so we sailed the Potomac river and ended up in Old Town Alexandria for dinner.  I picked this Pinot Noir as I felt it would pair well with the myriad of main dishes that were ordered- Hangar steak, Swordfish etc.  It was stunning.  I took some very basic notes…

Cherry, baking spices, a touch of forest fooor, red raspberry, med (+) acidity med (-) tannins, medium bodied- 13.5% ABV …..delicious, silky smooth, long finish.  94 points, till 2032. Excellent development potential.

Looking this gem up I see one review as high as 96 points and a $43 price point.  RUN, don’t walk if you like a delicious Pinot of this caliber.  Salut….

Mac Forbes Pinot Noir 2016, Yarra Valley, Australia

27 Tuesday Jul 2021

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


When I drank this wine at my mates place, I was thinking of my wine course so I used the standard lexicon to describe it.  Having said that, I will add a few personal notes.  I’ve never had a wine from Yarra Valley.  A cooler climate area that allows Pinot to grow, I found this wine to be well developed, almost over the hill at a mere 6 years of age.  Perhaps my mate Johny stored it incorrectly?  It was tasty to be sure, but was very much ripe and stewed.  It may have a few years left but drink now to enjoy it the most.  I give it 90 points even though it got upwards of 93 from the pros.  At $30 plus, it gets 3 stars from me.  Salut…

  • Pale tawny
  • Nose- medium intensity strawberry, cranberry, red cherry, earth and game.  Developing
  • Palate-dry, medium – acidity, medium – body, medium – tannins, medium intensity flavors of strawberry, red cherry, earth, cooked strawberry and sour?.  Medium finish.
  • Conclusion- acceptable quality to be drunk now, but has potential for ageing.