2023 Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Pinot Noir

Other Reviews....
From the Sexton vineyard in Gruyere; 10% whole bunches and matured nine months in French barriques (25% new). A deep ruby. Aromas of kirsch, damson plums, licorice root and spices; this heady, concentrated wine has a lot of meat on the bones, with ripe, persistent tannins boding well for the future. A great contrast to the more delicate Giant Steps wines such as Bastard Hill and Primavera. Drink 2024-2030.
97 Points
Philip Rich - James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion

A longer ripening period during the 2023 vintage has amplified aromas, with shades of violet at the edge of ripe blood plum and dark cherry. The ripeness is also reflected in bright, luscious blood plum and dark cherry flavours in the front palate; while the combination of MV6, G5V15 and Abel clones provides a keen savoury note, with earthy bite and graphite notes. Chewy tannins give a moreish finish to a wine that already appears resolved and complete. Drink 2024 - 2032.
94 Points
David Sly - Decanter

The Sexton vineyard was planted in 1997. It’s a north-facing, exposed site.
It might be north-facing and exposed but there’s a coolness to this release. It tastes of forest berries and boysenberries with toast and sprays of alpine herbs. It’s not overtly minty but it has that cooling feel. There’s a sweetness to the spice and a general impression of completeness, the latter aided by a full suite of ripe, grainy, meaty tannin. The finish of this wine has a fan to it; forever quality’s best marker. Drink 2027 - 2033+
94+ Points
Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front

The final blend of this wine is around 21% whole bunch fermented. A quiet wine in the glass that needs a bit of time before it reveals itself, be patient as this wine unfurls and gains momentum. It is deeply pigmented in garnet hues and shows black raspberries, cherries and rose petals. Woodsy herbs like rosemary stem, thyme, clove and sesame. Front to middle palate tannins are grainy and astute. There are granite-like immoveable foundations to this wine that will allow it to live a long time. So too is there significant turbidity and viscosity to this wine. Drink now or cellar for 8 years. A perfect wine for blackened skinned cod.
96 Points
Shanteh Wale - WinePilot.com