Description
97 points
"Another salivating and seductive Sexton Chardonnay... The beautifully balanced and tightly coiled palate is underpinned by its concentration and intensity. Finishes saline and extremely long."
- Philip Rich (Halliday Wine Companion)
Planted by Phil Sexton himself in 1997, this vineyard sits on shallow clay-loam soils at the foot of the Warramate Ranges. It’s one of the lower-altitude sites in the Giant Steps portfolio, and always the first to be picked—typically delivering the boldest and most generous of their single-vineyard Chardonnays.
The 2024 vintage, a warmer, more traditional Yarra Valley season, has brought added precision and a saline, citrus-driven line to the usual Sexton generosity. Handpicked fruit was whole-bunch pressed and fermented in 500L French puncheons (20% new), with nine months on lees building quiet volume and drive.
There’s stone fruit flesh, preserved lemon, almond meal and flinty reduction in the mix, but the palate is where this wine sings - layered, textural, and cut with crystalline acidity. A flick of cashew and white spice drifts on the finish.
It’s a fuller expression than Tarraford or Applejack, but in 2024 it walks the line beautifully. Always a crowd favourite, this vintage feels just that bit more focused. Delicious straight up, but built to go the distance.
Customer Reviews
| Price Bracket | $51 to $100 |
| Type | White |
| Body | Full Bodied |
| Variety | Chardonnay |
| Country | Australia |
| Region | Yarra Valley |
| Australian State | VIC |
| Feature |
Women in Wine High Score |
| Reviewed By |
Halliday Wine Companion The Wine Front |
| Size | 750ml |
| Vintage | 2024 |
| Closure | Screw Cap |
Giant Steps
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