Giant Steps Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2023

Giant Steps Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2023 is a regional expression sourced from five prominent estate vineyards across both the Upper and Lower Yarra Valley, including Sexton, Applejack, and Wombat Creek. The 2023 vintage was characterized as one of the coolest and latest harvests on record, resulting in a wine with intense fruit concentration and vibrant natural acidity. Produced using 100% handpicked fruit, the winemaking involves whole-bunch pressing and wild fermentation in French oak puncheons (15% new), followed by eight months of maturation on lees. The aromatic profile features citrus, fresh melon, and crushed hazelnuts with subtle flinty undertones. On the palate, it delivers a long and elegant structure with a creamy texture from extended lees aging, carrying flavors of white peach, lemon curd, and shortbread through a crisp, saline finish.

90 Points - James Suckling

Sassy, mid-weighted chardonnay. A solid curtain raiser, especially given the bounties to come. Nougat, creamed cashew and oodles of vanilla-pod oak, meshed with some struck-match reduction. Stone fruit allusions beyond. I've liked this wine very much in the past and appreciate this iteration. Yet I feel, perhaps for the first time, that the fruit weight is not sufficient for the oak tannins. The finish is rocky-road okay and tough. This needs time and plenty of optimism. Drink or hold. Screw cap.