97 Points - Philip Rich
Giant Steps has forged a reputation as one of the Yarra Valley's leading wineries, with their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay consistently among the nation's finest examples. Named 'Winery Of The Year' in the 2025 Halliday Wine Companion, Giant Steps continues to produce some stunning cool-climate wines.
"97 Points. 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. Screw cap. 13.5% alc. Drink: 2024 - 2030. $90"- Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion 2025.
"96 Points. There’s genuine intensity of chardonnay fruit flavour here and a keen bite that goes with it. Sweet pear, white peach and citrus characters lead to a finish of green pineapple, grapefruit and brine, every step along the way both deliberate and powerful. No meanderings allowed here. Nougat oak teams it all seamlessly together, the finish long and resounding. General view would be that this is good to drink now but for me it needs at least another year in bottle. Tasted: Aug24. 13.5% alc. $90 Screwcap Drink: 2025 - 2032+"- Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front.
"Located on the steep north facing slopes of the Warramate Ranges, the Sexton Vineyard is an icon Chardonnay Vineyard. Being on the higher slopes, topsoil is thin and root systems have established themselves in shallow gravelly loams above a tough rocky clay base. Bunch yields set naturally low in this environment, resulting in intensely flavoured fruit with high skin to juice ratio. The predominant clones are Gingin and Mendoza which produce hens and chickens (large and small grapes on the same bunch), which results in high white tannin and phenolic content to balance the citrus flavours. This vineyard produces our most confident and open chardonnays due to it’s northern aspect and exposure and clonal selection. The exotic fruits of yuzu, ginger snap biscuit and preserve lemon give a wine of energy and drive, finished with a lovely texture from the characteristic Gingin tannins and acidity."- Giant Steps Wines.
