Giant Steps
Applejack Vineyard Chardonnay
Yarra Valley, Port Phillip, Victoria, Australia
A wonderful Australian Chardonnay - see previous notes here. Applejack is usually my favourite Giant Steps Vineyard for Pinot Noir but with Chardonnay there are a couple of contenders - like Sexton Vineyard and this one. Great balance of stone fruit and absorbed toasty oak. Wine shows adroit winemaking skills - somewhat βworked β and showing creamy Lees character. Have the last one in 2027 when 10 years old. Had my last bottle on 25th September 2025. Even better than before. 95 points. Vanillin oak notes to begin with before it blew off. Rich Stonefruit notes with a nice acid cut.
A wonderful Australian Chardonnay - see previous notes here. Applejack is usually my favourite Giant Steps Vineyard for Pinot Noir but with Chardonnay there are a couple of contenders - like Sexton Vineyard and this one. Great balance of stone fruit and absorbed toasty oak. Wine shows adroit winemaking skills - somewhat βworked β and showing creamy Lees character. Have the last one in 2027 when 10 years old. Had my last bottle on 25th September 2025. Even better than before. 95 points. Vanillin oak notes to begin with before it blew off. Rich Stonefruit notes with a nice acid cut.
Apr 6th, 2025
Outstanding modern Vic/Aus Chardonnay. Everything in its right place. So much concentration power and intensity. Great stuff. ππ½ππ½ππ½
Outstanding modern Vic/Aus Chardonnay. Everything in its right place. So much concentration power and intensity. Great stuff. ππ½ππ½ππ½
Apr 28th, 2023A wonderful new world Chardonnay - this is better than some Premier Crus I have had. A funky note to begin with, stone fruit and nuts (almond and cashew). Palate is perfectly balanced with nectarine and a creamy texture. Great intensity of flavour and excellent length. The first of 4. Next in a year. The next night just as impressive. Had another bottle a year later on 12th August as I said I would. with similar notes. Nothing to add to previous note. Hint of citrus amongst the stone fruit, cashew and creamy lees characters - still there at 6 years.
A wonderful new world Chardonnay - this is better than some Premier Crus I have had. A funky note to begin with, stone fruit and nuts (almond and cashew). Palate is perfectly balanced with nectarine and a creamy texture. Great intensity of flavour and excellent length. The first of 4. Next in a year. The next night just as impressive. Had another bottle a year later on 12th August as I said I would. with similar notes. Nothing to add to previous note. Hint of citrus amongst the stone fruit, cashew and creamy lees characters - still there at 6 years.
Aug 9th, 2022Great Chardonnay. Ticks all the boxes. Beautiful line and length with plenty of fruit and subtle winemaking influences. Delicious
Great Chardonnay. Ticks all the boxes. Beautiful line and length with plenty of fruit and subtle winemaking influences. Delicious
Nov 2nd, 2018