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Description
Halliday Wine Companion's Winery of the Year!
"Giant Steps, right now, breathes rare air. It’s been an outstanding winery for a long time, but the combination of energy and expertise – and no doubt plenty more besides – that winemaker Melanie Chester has brought since she arrived at the winery in November 2021 has frankly been breathtaking... In short, it’s a thrilling range to drink from."
- Campbell Mattinson (Halliday Wine Companion)
The 2023 Giant Steps Tarraford Vineyard Chardonnay is a simply sensational release of this long-time Giant Steps favourite.
Situated in a sheltered valley in Tarrawarra in a warmer pocket of the Yarra, this vineyard benefits from a distinctly cooler microclimate compared to its neighbours. This cooler setting allows for a longer growing season, resulting in a Chardonnay that is both powerful and elegantly nuanced.
The 2023 season was marked by cooler temperatures and abundant rainfall, leading to a late harvest that produced grapes with excellent fruit concentration and bright acidity. Handpicked and whole-bunch pressed, the juice was fermented in 500L French oak puncheons, before being matured for nine months in a mix of new and seasoned French oak barrels.
It has an inviting nose full of stone fruits, apple and lemon, underscored by a touch of brine. The palate is round and powerful, with vibrant citrus flavours and a savoury oatmeal character. A chalky texture and a finely detailed structure lead to a long, balanced finish with a pithy grapefruit edge.
Exceptional Tarraford Vineyard Chardonnay with distinctive character and style. Not to be missed for collectors of this consistently brilliant wine.
97 points
"Immediately appealing with its aromas of stone fruits, yellow apple, some lemon confiture and a touch of brine. Chalky textured, slippery and with a certain openness but finely detailed and structured too. Grapefruit pithy on the long, beautifully balanced finish."
- Philip Rich (Halliday Wine Companion)
