VISIT > Giant Steps Vineyard

Giant Steps was founded by Phil Sexton in 1997 he had come across from Margaret River in Western Australia in search of somewhere to grow and make outstanding Burgundy varietals of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. He the first site near Gruyere planting the Sexton vineyard on the steep slopes of the Warramate Ranges. Being a…

ByEd ItorJune 21, 20240Comments

DRINK > KYOTO

DRINK > Wine Bar Fleur Parf, Kyoto

It is a quiet street in the Shimogyo Ward of Kyoto where we found Wine Bar Fleur Parf, it is hidden at the end of a long passage (lit by lamps on the ground), past a beautiful courtyard garden to the bar at the back. There you find a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle…

ByCrispyApril 8, 20240Comments

DRINK > WINE DRINK > WINE > Pinot Noir

WINE > Domaine Joblot – Clos Du Celliers Aux Moines – Givry 1er Cru, 2019 (90/100)

Givry is located in the centre of the Côte Chalonnnaise, just south of Mercurey, the terroir there is largely composed of a rocky limestone, some clay and sandstone. Clos du Celliers is a Premier Cru sub region of Givry and was a vineyard originally established Cistercian Monks the year 1130 who it as…

ByCrispyMarch 8, 20240Comments

DRINK > WINE > Pinot Noir

DRINK > François Lumpp Givry 1er Cru ‘Crausot’ 2020 (94/100)

Crausot is a relatively recent premier cru, established in the 1990's, the vineyard sits at the southern tip of the appellation. Soils are very calcareous driving complexity and minerality. The Lumpp family originally come from Baden, Germany and emigrated to France in the late 1800's. Two brothers François and Vincent began…

ByEd ItorFebruary 9, 20240Comments

DRINK > WINE DRINK > WINE > Pinot Noir

WINE > Apsley Gorge, Pinot Noir 2020 (95/100)

Apsley Gorge Vineyard was founded in 1990 by former abalone diver and lobster fisherman Brian Franklin. He planted Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes on a 7 hectare plot of land near Bicheno on Tasmania's east coast at the entrance to the Apsley Gorge. Apsley Gorge Winery sits right on the sea at Bicheno. WINERY The region…

ByCrispyDecember 12, 20230Comments

DRINK > WINE DRINK > WINE > Pinot Noir

WINE > Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021 (97/100 points)

I have to admit a little bias, this wine is one of my absolute 'go to' favourites and has been for about the last 5 years. Giant Steps make a number of single vineyard pinot noir releases but for me it has always been the AppleJack Vineyard that delivered a perfect palate of fruit,…

ByCrispyOctober 16, 20230Comments

DRINK > WINE DRINK > WINE > Pinot Noir

WINE > D.M.L Reserve Mornington Peninsula Noir 2021 (94/100 Points)

DML VIN is a relative newcomer to making Australian Pinot Noir with the first vintage released in 2019 but they are already creating some really special wine and it is no surprise that both critics and pinot fans are taking notice and buying. The back story to DML VIN is that AF Premiership player Jordon…

ByCrispyOctober 13, 20230Comments

DRINK > WINE DRINK > WINE > Pinot Noir

WINE > Bass Phillip “Crown Prince” 2016 (95/100 points)

The "Crown Prince" is considered an entry level wine to the world of Bass Phillip Wines it is often poured by the glass at restaurants and some people don't like that it can be quite cloudy. But I love it and having just acquired some more of the 2016 release I thought it definitely…

ByCrispyOctober 13, 20230Comments

DRINK > WINE DRINK > WINE > Pinot Noir

WINE > Dry River Pinot Noir 2020 (96/100 points)

The Dry River vineyard was established in 1979 by Dr Neil and Dawn McCallum and was one of Martinborough’s first wineries and over time it has become one New Zealand's most iconic wines. It was named after one of South Wairarapa’s earliest sheep stations, Dry River rests on the very arid, gravelly, free-draining soils near…

ByEd ItorSeptember 5, 20230Comments

DRINK > WINE DRINK > WINE > Pinot Noir

WINE > Domaine Tollot-Beaut Chorey-Les-Beaune Protégée 2018 (93/100 points)

I am very fond of the flavour profile found in Burgundy wines made from grapes grown in Beaune, and while this wine is described by the maker as a "classic rustic red wine" I think it deserves more love and recognition because it is a lot better than that. THE WINERY The Tollot family have…

ByCrispyAugust 30, 20230Comments