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  • 93

2018 Giant Steps Chardonnay

Yarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
$29. 99
Bottle
$359.88 Dozen
Cellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2019-2024)
ABV: 13%
Closure: Stelvin

Matured in French oak, 10% new, for a period of 7 months. Brilliant pale straw colour with flecks of green around the edges and a watery hue. The nose has aromas of white peaches, subtle dried honey, biscuity nougat like characters, citrus and light cashew. Fleshy white peach and nectarine flavours dominate the medium weighted palate which has an elegant, lightly creamed feel to it. Good richness on the back palate with subtlety honeyed nougat, biscuit and spicy cashew moving in. Finishes dry and balanced with a citrus freshness and a medium to long aftertaste.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13%

Other Reviews….
This is, and always has been, a multi-vineyard blend. “Early, drinking deliciousness”, says Steve Flamsteed, “these aren’t for cellars… I like freshness and energy. Not so much the essence of any vineyard, but a showcase of Yarra Valley. They’re wines to really, really drink”. Winemaking goes hand-picked, chill overnight, pressed, free run gets a work over and into barrel, then some oxidative winemaking in leaving some ullage space, lending extra character. Clever, clever.
It’s a ripper drink. Shows pedigree of the top Giant Steps wines but delivers a wickedly drinkable, tangy, lemon-drizzled-apple-crunch of yummo chardonnay with enough pep and vigour (and faint salted nutty savouriness) to blast off on those warm, baking summer days. That aside, there’s spring to texture, light juiciness, a pucker followed by mouth-watering refreshment to close. No brainer for quality, bright, quietly complex but wholly guzzle-worthy chardonnay. Drink 2018-2025.
93 points
Mike Bennie – The Wine Front