Giant Steps
Nocton Vineyard Pinot Noir
Tasmania, Australia
The colour is becoming more tawny since my last tasting in 2023. Lovely aromatics of red fruits and Sous Bois. Manages to combine the characteristics of both Tasmania’s Coal River Valley Pinot Noir and Steve Flamsteed’s excellent winemaking (ex Giant Steps Yarra Valley). I have previous Delectable notes on this wine. Sweet red cherry. Fleshy and supple. This wine scooped the pool at the 2019 Royal Queensland Wine Awards winning Best Pinot Noir of Show; Best Red Table Wine; Best Single Vineyard Red and Grand Champion Wine of Show. Since the acquisition of Giant Steps by the Jackson Family I’m not sure that the Nocton Vineyard is still made? Postscript: Research on line indicates that no vintage of Nocton was made after this one in 2018.
The colour is becoming more tawny since my last tasting in 2023. Lovely aromatics of red fruits and Sous Bois. Manages to combine the characteristics of both Tasmania’s Coal River Valley Pinot Noir and Steve Flamsteed’s excellent winemaking (ex Giant Steps Yarra Valley). I have previous Delectable notes on this wine. Sweet red cherry. Fleshy and supple. This wine scooped the pool at the 2019 Royal Queensland Wine Awards winning Best Pinot Noir of Show; Best Red Table Wine; Best Single Vineyard Red and Grand Champion Wine of Show. Since the acquisition of Giant Steps by the Jackson Family I’m not sure that the Nocton Vineyard is still made? Postscript: Research on line indicates that no vintage of Nocton was made after this one in 2018.
Oct 24th, 2025Youthful colour of mid Ruby with a purple tinge. Cherry and stalky notes showing an element of whole bunch fermentation. Light in colour but great intensity on the palate. On the palate a good balance of bright red fruits with peppery stalky savoury characters. 3 Trophies at the Royal Queensland Wine Show including Best Red of the Show. A chance for Yarra Valley winemaker Steve Flamsteed, to show his considerable skills with Tasmanian Coal River fruit. Tasted again 118 weeks later on 2nd January 2022 with similar notes. Just a smashing good Pinot Noir. I can see why it won 3 Trophies at RQ Wine Show. A great balance between exuberant fruit and whole bunch fermentation. At Paros with grilled salmon.
Youthful colour of mid Ruby with a purple tinge. Cherry and stalky notes showing an element of whole bunch fermentation. Light in colour but great intensity on the palate. On the palate a good balance of bright red fruits with peppery stalky savoury characters. 3 Trophies at the Royal Queensland Wine Show including Best Red of the Show. A chance for Yarra Valley winemaker Steve Flamsteed, to show his considerable skills with Tasmanian Coal River fruit. Tasted again 118 weeks later on 2nd January 2022 with similar notes. Just a smashing good Pinot Noir. I can see why it won 3 Trophies at RQ Wine Show. A great balance between exuberant fruit and whole bunch fermentation. At Paros with grilled salmon.
Sep 29th, 2019
