Name: Giant Steps Chardonnay Tarraford Vineyard 2023 750ml
Brand: Giant Steps
SKU: 983263
Price: 72.46 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 95 (4 reviews)

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Winery

Giant Steps

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Varietal

Chardonnay

Of all the white wine grape varietals, surely the one that has spread the furthest and is most widely appreciated is Chardonnay. This green-skinned grape is now grown all over the Old and New Worlds, from New Zealand to the Americas, from England to Chile, and is one of the first varietals people think of when considering white wine grapes. Perhaps this is because of its huge popularity, which reached a peak in the 1990s, thanks to new technologies combining with traditional methods to bring the very best features out of the Chardonnay grape and allow its unique qualities to shine through. Most fine Chardonnay wines use a process known as malolactic fermentation, wherein the malic acids in the grape juice are converted to lactic acids, allowing a creamier, buttery nature to come forward in the wine. No grape varietal is better suited to this process than Chardonnay, which manages to balance these silky, creamy notes with fresh white fruit flavors beautifully.

Country

Australia

Whilst most of Australia consists of arid deserts and dense bushland, the oceanic coasts to the south of the country have a terrain and climate ideal for vine cultivation and wine production. It took several decades of failed attempts at the end of the 18th century in order to produce vines of a decent enough quality for making wine, but since those first false starts, the Australian wine industry has continued to grow and grow. Today, wine production makes up for a considerable part of the Australian economy, with exports in recent years reaching unprecedented levels and even overtaking France for the first time ever. Whilst the greatest successes in regards to quality have been the result of the Syrah grape varietal (known locally as Shiraz), Australia utilizes several Old World grapes, and has had fantastic results from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Riesling, Chardonnay and more. As the Australian passion for locally produced wine continues to develop, wineries have begun experimenting with a wider range of grape varietals, meaning that nowadays it isn't uncommon to find high quality Australian wines made from Petit Verdot, Sangiovese, Tempranillo and Viognier, amongst many others.

Region

Victoria

The Australian region of Victoria is the country's most historically significant wine region, with vine cultivation and wine production going on there since the mid 19th century. In those times, Victoria produced over half of all Australia's wines. However, today, despite having a huge number of wineries, Victoria has begun to focus on quality over quantity – many of the six hundred wineries based in this region produce wines made from lesser known grape varietals, often producing fascinating wines full of character, but made from vines with far lower yields and a considerably smaller audience. Today, most of the viticulture in Victoria takes place near the cool, coastal region around Melbourne. However, recent years have seen irrigation projects help wine makers grow vines in the more arid parts of the region, with a wide range of grapes now being grown.

Appellation

Port Phillip

DC 96pts

Decanter

Understated refinement, exhibiting honeyed florals, gun flint and citrus on the nose, with a creamy texture and lovely layered spice profile. Sensitively oaked and long. (Gold) - DWWA 2025

WA 95pts

Wine Advocate

The 2023 Tarraford Vineyard Chardonnay is spicy and restrained on the nose; where the Applejack Chardonnay is exuberant, powerful and concentrated, this is blessed with more subtlety and perhaps even complexity. Aromas include tarragon and star anise, cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg (in the way that nutmeg can be fresh, rich, slightly medicinal/green, resinous, spicy, warm, round/sweet, generous/enveloping). The fruit speaks of white peach, green almond, salted cashews and finely ground white pepper. The acidity is bright and saline within. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

WS 95pts

Wine Spectator

A stunning, complex style, showing notes of grilled peach, lemon curd, wildflower honey and marmalade on a sleek, mouthwatering frame. Accents of lemon verbena, litsea oil, crunchy sea salt and lemon oregano add to the aromatics and harmony, with waves of flavor lingering on the finish. Drink now through 2034. 909 cases made, 24 cases imported.

JS 94pts

James Suckling

Aromas of lemon peel, orange blossoms and oyster shells. The palate is medium-bodied with energetic acidity, a creamy mouthfeel and notes of grapefruit, flint and almond meal. Very tightly wound and delicate. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

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Giant Steps Chardonnay Tarraford Vineyard 2023 750ml

Case of 6