Giant Steps Winery
Yarra Valley based vigneron, Phil Sexton lives with his family in the middle of their 32 hectare vineyard established on the high north face of the Warramate Ranges in the dress circle of the Yarra Valley.
Specialising in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Giant Steps explore site, micro climatic and clonal differences between several specialized vineyards in the Yarra Valley including their own multi-clonal vineyard and the highly regarded Tarraford vineyard. Focused intently upon reflecting the individual and unique characteristics of each single vineyard, Giant Steps adopts a minimalist approach to winemaking including, whenever possible, vinification using indigenous yeasts and gravity flow transfers.
Giant Steps Tarraford Vineyard Chardonnay 2022
Located on the steep north facing slopes of the Warramate Ranges, alongside the vineyards of Yarra Yering and Coldstream Hills, the Sexton vineyard is exposed and demanding. Being well up the slopes, topsoil is thin and root systems have established themselves in shallow gravelly loams above a tough rocky clay base. Vigoir and bunch yields set naturally low in this environment, facilitating a low intervention approach to what is otherwise hand tended viticulture. Biodynamic vineyard management principles are being introduced with the purpose of further distinguishing the site and improving grape and wine quality.
Grapes/Blend 100% Chardonnay
pH 3.26
Acid (g/L) 6.56
Vinification
100% hand-picked. Indigenous fermentation in 500L French puncheons. No malolactic fermentation. Batonage for the first two months, then just topped.
Maturation
10 months in new and used French oak - 20% new, 80% older.
Vintage Notes
Bud burst was relatively early in 2016, and being followed by a dry, mild spring delivered the earliest start to flowering recorded. Perfectly timed rain events in late January gave the vineyard a much needed freshen up prior to picking. Harvest began very early with ideal flavours developing rapidly, crops were well-balanced and the berries had intense flavour and solid natural acidity. 2016 has proven to be one of the fastest vintages in Giant Steps history.
Cellaring Potential
Now - five years.
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