Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Chardonnay 2024

Description

Product Description: Applejack stands among the most vital Chardonnays in Yarra’s single-vineyard portfolio. Planted by Ray Guerin in 1997 on volcanic soils at Gladysdale, this east-facing site rests at 220–320 metres elevation. Soils of grey clay loam over basalt base, combined with cooler ripening and precise canopy management, yield a wine that’s both savoury and taut, yet intensely focused. The 2024 vintage, made with 100% hand-harvested, whole-bunch pressed fruit that is wild-fermented in 500 L French oak puncheons, spent up to nine months on lees. This approach allows every nuance of the site to shine—there’s energy and clarity, not weight, and a tension that marks vintage character over winemaking artifice. Applejack Chardonnay is immediate in energy yet built for several years of tracking, rooted in mineral vibrancy rather than flesh. It reveals itself quietly at first, then steadily grows in presence—an insider’s Chardonnay with line, detail and the promise of deeper rewards to come. Tasting Notes NOSE – Savoury & precise Spiced nectarine, lemon rind, grilled nuts, and pencilly oak hints, carried by bright citrus energy PALATE – Focused & electric Intensity and compact precision with lemon butter and refreshing acidity, sustained by tight drive and an undercurrent of salinity FINISH – Long & mineral Lingering vitality, vivid and tensile—marked by cedar spice, creamy passage, and a saline, energised aftertaste Reviews & Accolades Light bright yellow in the glass with creamy pastry, spiced nectarine and lemon aromas and flavours, the palate intense and compact, tightly focused and long, with pencilly/cedary and lemon butter flavours of great energy and vitality, lingering long on the aftertaste. Refreshing acidity. Superb now, even better with a bit more age on it.” – Huon Hooke, The Real Review, White Wine of the Year Australia, 98 Points (January 2025). 96 points — Applejack vineyard was planted at Gladysdale… bright green gold. A pure and gently reticent bouquet of stone fruits, lemon verbena and crushed rocks. The palate is tightly coiled, steely, saline and focused. A wine with excellent potential.” – Philip Rich, James Halliday Wine Companion 2025. 96pts… This is a ripping chardonnay. It has fruit power up its sleeve and in its wrist bands and everywhere else. And yet it’s tight. And stony. Shot with white peach… sweet cedar, brine and the wet leaves of a lemon tree. There’s some dare to the acidity but it brings flavour with it… an advanced level wine.” – Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front. Finer Details: Style – White Wine Varietal – Chardonnay Country – Australia Region – Yarra Valley, Victoria Vintage – 2024 Bottle Size – 750 ml ABV – 13.3% Closure – Screwcap