Known Pleasures Shiraz

Giant Steps Known Pleasures Shiraz, sourced from the biodynamic Gateway Vineyard in McLaren Vale, is a marked step sideways for the winery. It is McLaren Vale Shiraz viewed through the lens of a Yarra Valley Pinot Noir producer.

Like the name Giant Steps itself, Known Pleasures takes its name from a jazz album. It is a tribute to Ian Curtis of Joy Division and the album Unknown Pleasures.

The handpicked fruit is shipped by refrigerated truck to the Giant Steps Yarra Valley winery. Mostly destemmed, the grapes cold soak over several days, with one third whole bunch inclusion in the open fermenters.

The tanks are warmed and given daily drains and returns to initiate wild fermentation. A Rhône isolate yeast is added to complete the ferment.

Once gently pressed, settled and gravity drained to new and seasoned French oak, the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation and maturation. After 11 months, it is blended in tank, settled and racked prior to bottling.

Deep purple, Giant Steps Known Pleasures Shiraz is dense and juicy with a latent power. Dark fruit flavours, bright acidity and powdery tannins lead to a savoury finish. Cellaring potential is 10 years.