Giant Steps - Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay 2024 1.5L

"Vintage Note
The 2024 vintage was a more classic Yarra season. A cool start to Spring and ideal flowering conditions led to good fruit set and moderate yields. December was cool and mild, with significant rainfall at New Years and during the first week of January, giving the vines a good drink leading into the heat of February. Mid to late February was drier and warmer than is common in the Yarra, leading to great ripening conditions with no disease pressure and quite a fast vintage. In 2024, all of our Pinot and Chardonnay was ready in quick succession, leading to a compressed harvest – with the whole valley picked in the space of 3 weeks (where it normally spreads across 6 weeks). An exciting ride for our team, but ultimately giving us wines with great flavour, bright acidity and balance.

Vineyard Notes
Location: Gruyere Planted: 1997 Elevation: 130 - 210 metres Soil Type: Grey clay loam over granite / ironstone Aspect: North facing slopes Size: 23 Hectares Located on the steep, north-facing slopes of the Warramate Ranges, Sexton Vineyard is one of the Yarra Valley’s iconic Chardonnay sites. Set high on the slopes, the vineyard has thin topsoil and shallow gravelly loams over a tough rocky clay base. In this low-yielding environment, the vines produce intensely flavoured fruit with a high skin-to-juice ratio. The predominant clones are Gingin and Mendoza, known for producing “hen and chicken” bunches, with large and small berries on the same bunch. This clonal character brings white tannin and texture to balance the vineyard’s bright citrus profile. Sexton produces some of our most confident and open Chardonnays, shaped by its northern aspect, exposure and clonal selection. We often see energy and drive, with flavours of yuzu, ginger snap biscuit and preserved lemon, finishing with dimensional texture from the interplay of fruit, cream, acid and tannin.

Winemaking Notes
100% handpicked and whole bunch pressed. The juice is transferred to barrel by gravity with no settling, taking on full lees. Wild Fermented in 500L French puncheons. A small amount of bâtonnage post fermentation and 10% malolactic fermentation. Maturation for 9 months in new and used French oak – 15% new, 85% seasoned, Taransaud, Mercurey and Dargaud & Jaeglé." - Giant Steps

"A blend of Gingin and Bernard clones planted in '97 between 100 and 200m in Gruyere. 20% new oak and 10% mlf. Another salivating and seductive Sexton Chardonnay with its bouquet of stone fruits, preserved lemons, freshly ground coffee beans and roasted hazelnut. The beautifully balanced and tightly coiled palate is underpinned by its concentration and intensity. Finishes saline and extremely long. It's all here and needs another five to seven years, at least, to reach its zenith. Drink 2025 - 2033. 97 Points" -Philip Rich (The Halliday Wine Companion)

Style / Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Yarra Valley, VIC
ABV: 13.2%
Vol: 1,500ml