The name does the talking — and the wine backs it up. Bastard Hill is one of the Yarra's most striking vineyards, planted in 1986 by Ray Guerin in Gladysdale, its name reflecting its steep terrain and challenging elevation of up to 400 metres. Known above all for perfume, precision and tension, this is only the second vintage released under the Giant Steps label.

Fruit was handpicked in two parcels and destemmed into small oak vats, with each clone — MV6 and D5V12 — fermented and aged separately. Cold soaked, then gently mixed for 10–14 days on skins, before spending 10 months in French oak (20% new), then bottled by gravity, unfined and unfiltered.

The result is a wine of real delicacy and class. Strawberry compote and sumac on the nose, with star anise and ground peppercorns; the texture silky and almost creamy, the fruit profile delicate and diaphanous — conjuring dried flowers, pressed linen and musk. A wine of ethereality and perfume, transparency and fine detail, with shapely dark fruit, balletic flow and intricately woven tannins.

• Varietal: Pinot Noir
• Region: Yarra Valley, Victoria
• Vintage: 2024
• ABV: 13.3% 
• Size: 750ml