Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay 2023

Accolades:
97/100 – James Suckling
97/100 – James Halliday Wine Companion
96/100 – Huon Hooke, The Real Review
96/100 – Decanter
95/100 – Wine Enthusiast

“Complex aromas of lemon curd, candied lime zest, mandarins and flint. The palate is medium-bodied with bright acidity, giving notes of orange peel, hazelnuts, grapefruit pith, pralines and pastry. Very polished and refined with an underlying tension. Delicious. Drink or hold.“ – James Suckling

“Made from a 50/50% blend of Gingin and Bernard clones planted between 100 and 200m in Gruyere. Whole- bunch pressed to French puncheons (25% new oak) with 15% mlf. Right now, this is the most salivating and seductive of Giant Step’s superb array of single-vineyard chardonnays from ‘23. Perfectly ripened white peach, pear and some marine scents lead onto the palate, which is gently textured, saline and structured. The finish is energetic, nutty and long.” – Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion

“Light yellow colour with a reserved and smoky, baguette crust, lightly toasty, savoury bouquet; some traces of dried citrus peels. Cashewnut and pencil shavings too. Oak is there but very much in the background. A wine of precision and finesse, the remarkably sustained palate drive not distracted by a touch of phenolic grip that adds texture and emphasis. Outstanding chardonnay which combines classic chardonnay generosity with finesse and drive. Drink 2025 to 2037.” – Huon Hooke, The Real Review

“Lifted aromas show dark tones of exotic tropical fruits – grilled pineapple, yuzu and guava – with some fresh grated ginger. The palate entry is focused and tightly bound, although this taut and proud wine benefits from 20% malolactic fermentation and some battonage post-fermentation to add roundness to the mouthfeel. It has exuberance to match its serious power and drive.” – Decanter

“While Sexton’s single vineyard counterpart, Tarraford, is unabashedly Aussie in style, this gives a wink to Burgundy, with rich cashew, hazelnut, flint and melon-custard characters. This 2023 bottling was a cool vintage and it shows via wonderfully racy acidity, tension and poise. This class act by winemaker Melanie Chester and her team drinks mighty well now but that should cellar beautifully.” – Wine Enthusiast

Vintage Note: 2023 was a small, high-quality vintage in the Yarra Valley. The season was defined by a cool Spring, a mild growing season, cool nights, and medium to high rainfall. 2023 was one of the coolest and latest harvests on record, with our first pick starting two and a half weeks later than the previous average. The grapes in 2023 had lovely fruit concentration with bright natural acidities.

Winemaking Notes: 100% handpicked and whole bunch pressed. The juice is transferred to barrel by gravity with no settling, taking on full lees. Wild Fermented in 500L French puncheons. A small amount of bâtonnage post fermentation and 20% malolactic fermentation. Maturation for 9 months in new and used French oak – 15% new, 85% seasoned, Taransaud, Mercurey and Dargaud & Jaeglé.

Alcohol: 13.5%

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia