2019 Giant Steps Chardonnay, Yarra Valley

2019 was a rollercoaster... with fluctuating temperatures and rain events  through Spring driving a very successful flowering in the Gruyere and Tarrawarra sub regions, but a much lower crop set in the Upper Yarra.
We then had beautiful, moderate weather in early summer which gave us rich dark green canopies, so that despite a few heat spikes in January, we had access to plenty of pristine bunches at harvest. Acidities were surprisingly fresh, perhaps driven by cool nights and the Chardonnay parcels have a depth and intensity we haven’t seen since
2015.

VINIFICATION:
100% hand-picked, all fruit is chilled overnight to 12 deg C. Whole bunch pressed, fermentation on full juice solids, wild yeast. Fermented entirely in 500L French puncheons – 10% new, 90% older. No lees stirring.
No malolactic fermentation. Matured in French oak – 10% new, 90% older – for only 8 months. Blended and chilled in tank prior to bottling in late Spring.

FOOD:
Kingfish sashimi, miso, soy sauce dressing; fresh goats curd and olive tapenade on grilled sourdough; roast crispy skin baby chicken, preservedblemon and roast garlic; Aged Pecorino cheese drizzled with extra virginbolive oil.