Giant Steps
Arthurs Creek Vineyard Chardonnay
Yarra Valley, Port Phillip, Victoria, Australia
Delectable-this is a new cuvée for Giant Steps called Bastard Hill. It acquired its name from the vineyard workers planting it out. Viticultural legend, Ray Guerin was sent from McLaren Vale by the original investors to bring the Bastard to life. He was there 26 years, raised a family on that hill, and established a career that had him universally acknowledged as the most significant viticultural figure in Australian wine’s push into cool climate regions. Ray also planted the Applejack vineyard held by Giant Steps - a fabulous site for Pinot Noir. This Chardonnay was Halliday’s Chardonnay of the year awarded a few weeks ago and possibly sold out by now. This Chardonnay flinty with struck match sulphidic aromas with ripe pink grapefruit and mineral. Barb saw notes of honeysuckle. This is a good example of a modern Australian Chardonnay. Philip Rich thought it was reminiscent of a good Corton-Charlemagne and gave it 98 points. This is the first of 6 for me. I’ll be fascinated to see how this develops.
Delectable-this is a new cuvée for Giant Steps called Bastard Hill. It acquired its name from the vineyard workers planting it out. Viticultural legend, Ray Guerin was sent from McLaren Vale by the original investors to bring the Bastard to life. He was there 26 years, raised a family on that hill, and established a career that had him universally acknowledged as the most significant viticultural figure in Australian wine’s push into cool climate regions. Ray also planted the Applejack vineyard held by Giant Steps - a fabulous site for Pinot Noir. This Chardonnay was Halliday’s Chardonnay of the year awarded a few weeks ago and possibly sold out by now. This Chardonnay flinty with struck match sulphidic aromas with ripe pink grapefruit and mineral. Barb saw notes of honeysuckle. This is a good example of a modern Australian Chardonnay. Philip Rich thought it was reminiscent of a good Corton-Charlemagne and gave it 98 points. This is the first of 6 for me. I’ll be fascinated to see how this develops.
Aug 27th, 2024