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Chardonnay Applejack Vineyard, Giant Steps 2023

RegionAustralia
Subregion Australia > Victoria > Yarra Valley
ColourWhite
TypeStill
Grape VarietyChardonnay

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Tasting Notes

A focused, sharp line of citrus flavours and aromas is driven by clean, crisp acidity, with tightly wound lemon and sharp green apple notes propelled by measured power. The Chardonnay I10V1 vine clones from this steep, 280m-high site demand different treatment – no malolactic fermentation, no battonage of lees during fermentation in mostly older French oak barrels, then nine months’ maturation. This is just enough to add a savory rim and a hint of roasted hazelnut to the smooth palate line, without intruding on a clean, crisp finish. It’s clean, confident and assured.

97
David Sly, Decanter.com, August 2024

Applejack vineyard was planted at Gladysdale by Ray Guerin in 1997, and only 2ha of its 11ha is planted to chardonnay. It is named for the Applejack eucalypts that surround it. Whole-bunch pressed straight to barrel with full solids and matured in mainly second use puncheons. A very 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.

96
Philip Rich, Wine Companion, August 2024
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.