Coming Soon - 2024 Giant Steps Tarraford Vineyard Chardonnay

Founded in 1997 by Phil Sexton, Giant Steps has become one of Australia’s most celebrated cool-climate producers. With a focus on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the wines are crafted to reflect their individual vineyard sites, from Tarrawarra to Gladysdale. Today, under the guidance of Head of Winemaking Melanie Chester, Giant Steps continues its legacy of expressive, site-driven wines defined by purity, finesse, and a profound sense of place.

Planted in 1988, Tarraford Vineyard lies in a protected valley at 100m elevation with grey clay loam soils and a mix of north, south, and east-facing slopes. Despite its warmer subregion, Chardonnay is planted on the cooler aspects, with P58, 548, and 96 clones contributing to the blend. Fruit was 100% handpicked and whole-bunch pressed, with juice transferred by gravity to 500L French oak puncheons on full lees. Fermentation was wild, with 37% malolactic conversion, followed by nine months’ maturation in French oak (10% new, 90% seasoned).
Alc. 13.2%

Other Reviews....
The 2024 Chardonnay Tarraford is right in the slot, delivering a powerful yet balanced blend of musky peach and melon aromas, well backed by vanillin oak, buttery nuts and praline barrel ferments. This is full throttle in style for the Yarra, with expansive flavors and underlying strength, while retaining freshness on the finish. Drink 2025 - 2035.
93 Points
Angus Hughson - Antonio Galloni's Vinous

Planted on a cool, south-facing slope in Tarrawarra. Barrel fermented and matured in puncheons and barriques (27% new). A bright green gold. Seductive with its bouquet of fuzzy peach skins, apricot, lemon oil and a hint of fresh vanilla bean. Opulent and creamily textured, with a fine vein of acidity running through the wine that gives it both structure and length. Very long and very yum to drink now and in the short to medium term. Drink 2025 - 2030.
96 Points
Philip Rich - Halliday's Australian Wine Companion

Tarraford is the lowest and theoretically the warmest of Giant Steps single vineyard site. This vineyard is, to quote winemaker Mel Chester, “tucked into a glade in Tarrawarra”.
Straight out of the gate this looked really beautiful. “We’re leaning into the breadth of 2024 with this wine, and into the personality of the vineyard”. Almond, pears, peaches, citrus, flowers and spice but it’s the juicy flow of it, so well seasoned. Umumi savouriness on the finish. Chester used the word opulent and that’s the word. I would jump this now; it wants to roll right now. When I came back to this maybe 45 minutes later all it had done was continue to blossom and pillow. Gorgeous wine. Drink 2025 - 2032+
95 Points
Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front