2023 Giant Steps Yarra Valley Chardonnay

Highly Rated
Another typically excellent edition of this much-loved Yarra Valley Chardonnay. A refined example of the regional style for a very fair price.
5.0
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
7 Reviews

Price:
Sale price$39.00
Stock:
In stock, ready to ship
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Description

The Giant Steps Yarra Valley Chardonnay is a blend of five of the key Giant Steps owned/managed vineyards, Sexton, Gruyere Farm, Tarraford, Applejack, Wombat Creek Vineyards, designed for earlier approachability without comprising quality. In essence, it's a snapshot of the Yarra Valley vintage.

Head Winemaker Mel Chester crafts this in a similar style to her predecessor Steve Flamsteed, with all fruit hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed. The juice ferments naturally in 500L French oak puncheons (15% new) using indigenous yeast, a small portion undergoes malolactic fermentation, but freshness and purity are the main focus of this cuvee every year.

The 2023 vintage was marked by a cool, slow ripening season, resulting in concentrated flavours and bright acidity. It's a tightly wound release that drinks beautifully now but should be one of the better vintages of this wine to cellar in some years.

It's sleek and elegant with the excellent length and finesse that has become synonymous with the Yarra and this variety. It's the perfect introduction to Giant Steps, to the Yarra Valley and to cool-climate Chardonnay. A no-brainer and one of our all-time most popular Chardonnays at Different Drop.

95 points
"Intoxicating acidity and a kefir creaminess on the finish. A spray of saline and oak appears in its round shapes rather than toasty notes. Alive with energy and creeping unsuspecting power."
- Shanteh Wale (Wine Pilot)

95 points
"Packs a punch on the saline, gently textured, gently chewy palate. Great stuff and the perfect entrée to the year's superb lineup of single-vineyard chardonnays."
- Philip Rich (Halliday Wine Companion)

The Chardonnay grapes are chilled overnight before they are whole bunch pressed the following morning. The juice is immediately transferred into 500L French oak puncheons. 15% of the oak is new, while the remaining 85% is seasoned. The juice is fermented naturally using indigenous yeast over 10 days, finishing with lots of stirring at the end of ferment. Around 10% of the batches go through malolactic fermentation. The wines are then sulphured and kept on lees in barrel until October, when they are blended and bottled.
BBQ roasted prawns with citrus dressing. Pan seared john dory fish with capers. Roasted asparagus with mustard vinaigrette and slithered almonds.

Region: Yarra Valley, VIC
Blend: Chardonnay (100%)
ABV: 12.50%

95 points - "Honeycrisp apple skin, lemon zest and green plum. Winter melon and starfruit. Plumes of talc powder, pomice and honeysuckle. Plenty of white delicate florals and a blush of nectarine. Intoxicating acidity and a kefir creaminess on the finish. A spray of saline and oak appears in its round shapes rather than toasty notes. Alive with energy and creeping unsuspecting power. Drinking well now and will cellar 3-5 years, a great wine for the bite of calamari or richness of abalone." - Shanteh Wale (Wine Pilot)

95 points - "An even split of upper and lower Yarra fruit. Whole-bunch pressed and wild fermented in 15% new French puncheons. Around 25% mlf. A very bright green gold. Attractive scents of ripe white pears and nectarines, lemon curd and just the right amount of flint. Packs a punch on the saline, gently textured, gently chewy palate. Great stuff and the perfect entrée to the year's superb lineup of single-vineyard chardonnays." - Philip Rich (Halliday Wine Companion)

Customer Reviews

5.0
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
Based on 7 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 7 Total 4 star reviews: 0 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 0
7 reviews
  • J
    JT
    Verified Buyer
    3 weeks ago
    2022 Giant Steps Yarra Valley Chardonnay
    Reviewing
    2022 Giant Steps Yarra Valley Chardonnay
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Fantastic chardonnay

    intense but elegant - just delicious

  • SM
    Simon M.
    Verified Buyer
    3 weeks ago
    2023 Giant Steps Yarra Valley Chardonnay
    Reviewing
    2023 Giant Steps Yarra Valley Chardonnay
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Great Victorian Chardy!

    Perfect expression of a refined Victorian chardonnay, great in any season

  • DF
    Diane F.
    Verified Buyer
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    1 year ago
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    2022 Giant Steps Yarra Valley Chardonnay
    Reviewing
    2022 Giant Steps Yarra Valley Chardonnay
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Classy chardonnay from Giant Steps

    The 2021 vintage for Yarra Valley is extremely good and this Giant Steps Yarra Valley Chardonnay is superb and fabulous value for money.

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Giant Steps

Giant Steps is a premium Yarra Valley outfit founded by Phil Sexton and located in the township of Healesville. Beginning with the vision of original head winemaker Steve Flamsteed, Giant Steps developed an international reputation for producing some of Australia's finest examples of single vineyard Pinot Noir & Chardonnay.

In 2021 the exceptionally talented Melanie Chester joined the team as the new head of winemaking and viticulture, marking an exciting new chapter in this elite producer's story.

Every aspect of the Giant Steps process is geared towards making truly world-class wines from the vineyard to the final bottled wine. The focus is on what the Yarra does best - Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Shiraz/Syrah and Bordeaux-variety blends - and showcasing the unique terroirs of some of the region's finest vineyards.

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