Personalised Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay 2023 750ML

Personalised Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay 2023 750ML

DESCRIPTION
COUNTRY: Australia
STATE: Victoria
REGION: Yarra Valley
VARIETY: Chardonnay
VINTAGE: 2023
CLOSURE: Screwcap
VOLUME: 750

TASTING NOTES

PALATE

The exotic fruits of yuzu, ginger snap biscuit and preserve lemon give a wine energy and drive, finished with a lovely texture from characteristic Gingin tannins and acidity.

REGION NOTES

Located on the steep north facing slopes of the Warramate Ranges, the Sexton Vineyard is an icon Chardonnay Vineyard. Being on the higher slopes, topsoil is thin and root systems have established themselves in shallow gravelly loams above a tough rocky clay base. Bunch yields set naturally low in this environment, resulting in intensely flavoured fruit with high skin to juice ratio. The predominant clones are Gingin and Mendoza which produce hens and chickens (large and small grapes on the same bunch), which results in high white tannin and phenolic content to balance the citrus flavours. This vineyard produces our most confident and open chardonnays due to it’s northern aspect and exposure and clonal selection.

VINIFICATION

100% handpicked and whole bunch pressed. The juice is transferred to barrel by gravity with no settling, taking on full lees. Wild Fermented in 500L French puncheons. A small amount of bâtonnage post fermentation and 20% malolactic fermentation.

MATURATION

Maturation for 9 months in new and used French oak – 15% new, 85% seasoned, Taransaud, Mercurey and Dargaud & Jaeglé.

VINTAGE NOTES

2023 was a small, high-quality vintage in the Yarra Valley. The season was defined by a cool Spring, a mild growing season, cool nights, and medium to high rainfall. 2023 was one of the coolest and latest harvests on record, with our first pick starting two and a half weeks later than the previous average. The grapes in 2023 had lovely fruit concentration with bright natural acidities.

97 Points

Complex aromas of lemon curd, candied lime zest, mandarins and flint. The palate is medium-bodied with bright acidity, giving notes of orange peel, hazelnuts, grapefruit pith, pralines and pastry. Very polished and refined with an underlying tension. Delicious.

James Suckling - jamessuckling.com, 05 December 2024