Yarra Valley Light Dry Red

2026 Pinot Noir, Syrah

Yarra Valley, Victoria

$35.00

Region Yarra Valley, Victoria
Vintage 2026
Type Red Wine
Variety Pinot Noir, Syrah
Vegan Friendly ✔
Volume 750ml
Alcohol Volume 13.5%
pH
3.56
Acidity
6.40g/L
Closure ScrewCap
Bottling Date
June, 2026
Harvest Date
February - March 2026
Background
Yarra Valley
Vintage Notes
The 2026 growing season began with a cool spring, followed by a longer ripening period. Careful vineyard management and considered picking decisions delivered fruit with bright aromatics, vibrant acidity and excellent flavour concentration.
Vineyard Notes
Sexton and Tarraford Vineyards
Winemaking
100% hand-picked. Fermented in small open vats with indigenous yeasts. The Syrah fermented using 100% whole bunch carbonic maceration. The Pinot Noir was destemmed and cold soaked for 4 days, and then fermented as whole berries. 3 months maturation in a combination of large format 2000lt and small format (225Lt +500Lt) French oak barrels. Bottled by gravity. No fining. No filtration.
Peak Drinking / Cellaring Potential
NOW - 2 YEARS
Food Matches
Hibachi char-grilled octopus with a squeeze of lemon. Manchego cheese and green olive tapenade. Wood fired pizza. Miso eggplant, baked polenta with salsa verde. Pork rilletes and cornichons.

Region Yarra Valley, Victoria
Vintage 2026
Type Red Wine
Variety Pinot Noir, Syrah
Vegan Friendly ✔
Volume 750ml
Alcohol Volume 13.5%
pH
3.56
Acidity
6.40g/L
Closure ScrewCap
Bottling Date
June, 2026
Harvest Date
February - March 2026
Background
Yarra Valley
Vintage Notes
The 2026 growing season began with a cool spring, followed by a longer ripening period. Careful vineyard management and considered picking decisions delivered fruit with bright aromatics, vibrant acidity and excellent flavour concentration.
Vineyard Notes
Sexton and Tarraford Vineyards
Winemaking
100% hand-picked. Fermented in small open vats with indigenous yeasts. The Syrah fermented using 100% whole bunch carbonic maceration. The Pinot Noir was destemmed and cold soaked for 4 days, and then fermented as whole berries. 3 months maturation in a combination of large format 2000lt and small format (225Lt +500Lt) French oak barrels. Bottled by gravity. No fining. No filtration.
Peak Drinking / Cellaring Potential
NOW - 2 YEARS
Food Matches
Hibachi char-grilled octopus with a squeeze of lemon. Manchego cheese and green olive tapenade. Wood fired pizza. Miso eggplant, baked polenta with salsa verde. Pork rilletes and cornichons.

Kind Words & Accolades

Brightly fruited, with vibrant acidity that gives the wine freshness and energy.

Philip Rich - Halliday Wine Companion, 95 points, March 20262025 Giant Steps Yarra Valley Chardonnay

A class act to drink now and over the next four to six years.

Philip Rich - Halliday Wine Companion, 96 points, March 20262025 Giant Steps Circle of Fifths Chardonnay

An excellent Sexton to drink now and over the next six to eight years.

Philip Rich - Halliday Wine Companion, 97 points, July 20262025 Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay

As good a Giant Steps entry point as I have tasted.

Philip Rich - Halliday Wine Companion, 96 points, March 20262025 Giant Steps Yarra Valley Pinot Noir

A step up on last year's Circle of Fifths

Philip Rich - Halliday Wine Companion, 96+ points, March 20262025 Giant Steps Circle of Fifths Pinot Noir

A more concentrated and brooding Primavera.

Philip Rich - Wine Companion, 97+ points, July 20262025 Giant Steps Primavera Vineyard Pinot Noir

Not sure I've tasted a better Applejack Pinot, which is saying something.

Philip Rich - Wine Companion, 98+ points, July 20262025 Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir