2024 Giant Steps Chardonnay, Yarra Valley

An even split of upper and lower Yarra fruit; both estate grown and from growers. Less mlf than last year. Smells fleshy with aromas of stone fruits, together with a little pink grapefruit and light citrus notes. It's both approachable and gentle, even as a young wine, but the balance for drinking now or cellaring in the short to medium term is absolutely spot on.

95 points Special Value Philip Rich winecompanion.com.au

Giant Steps Chardonnay from the Yarra Valley is a benchmark Australian Chardonnay that effortlessly balances precision, purity and texture. Crafted under the skilled eye of winemaker Melanie Chester, it showcases the cool-climate finesse of the Upper Yarra, where altitude, volcanic soils and thoughtful farming combine to deliver fruit with intensity and restraint.

Melanie Chester, one of the most exciting winemaking talents in the country, took over at Giant Steps in 2021 and has continued the winery’s reputation for crafting site-expressive wines with clarity and elegance. This Chardonnay is sourced from a selection of estate vineyards, primarily in the cooler upper reaches of the Yarra, including the Applejack, Sexton and Tarraford sites. These vineyards are all hand tended and farmed sustainably, with an emphasis on expressing site over style.

Whole bunch pressed, the juice is transferred directly to French oak barrels (about 20 percent new) for wild fermentation. The wine is left on full lees for 10 months with minimal stirring and no malolactic fermentation, preserving natural acidity and tension while building subtle savoury texture.

In the glass, it opens with aromas of lemon curd, white nectarine, struck flint, almond skin and fresh sea spray. The palate is layered and beautifully poised, showing citrus and stone fruit with hints of nougat and wet stone. The acid line is fine and persistent, giving the wine drive and a mouthwatering, mineral finish.

This is a Chardonnay with energy and detail, made to reflect vineyard character and vintage conditions rather than winemaking artifice. Pair it with grilled lobster, chicken with tarragon or a simple bowl of creamy mushroom pasta.