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Giant Steps Ocarina Clay Ferment Chardonnay 2020

  • James Halliday
    96 Points
  • Mike Bennie
    95 Points
  • Huon Hooke
    94 Points
Giant Steps Ocarina Clay Ferment Chardonnay 2020
  • James Halliday
    96 Points
  • Mike Bennie
    95 Points
  • Huon Hooke
    94 Points
Giant Steps Ocarina Clay Ferment Chardonnay 2020
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Giant Steps Ocarina Clay Ferment Chardonnay 2020

SKU: GSOC202010 UCAU
Biodynamic
Ready, but will Keep
Regular price $90.00 $79.99 / bottle
Unit price
per 
Only 1 left In-Stock!

Ships by same day or next business day

1 bottle
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Very limited allocation.

Back vintage availalbe direct from the winery cellar

96 Points, James Halliday

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Giant Steps Ocarina Clay Ferment Chardonnay 2020

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Tasting Notes

Giant Steps Ocarina Clay Ferment Chardonnay 2020 exemplifies the pinnacle of premium Australian winemaking, crafted with meticulous attention to detail and a profound respect for terroir. This exclusive Chardonnay is produced with a very limited allocation, making it a rare gem for collectors and connoisseurs alike. Sourced from carefully selected vineyards, the 2020 vintage reflects the unique characteristics of the Yarra Valley, renowned for its cool climate and exceptional grape-growing conditions.

Fermented in clay amphorae, this wine embraces a traditional yet innovative approach that enhances natural expression and purity. The clay vessels impart a delicate texture and complexity, allowing subtle mineral nuances and vibrant fruit flavors to shine. With layers of crisp citrus, ripe stone fruits, and a hint of toasted almond, this Chardonnay reveals remarkable balance and depth.

Back vintages of the Giant Steps Ocarina are available directly from the winery cellar, offering enthusiasts the opportunity to experience the evolution of this distinctive wine over time. This 2020 release has earned 96 points from James Halliday, underscoring its outstanding quality and acclaim in the world of fine wine.

Perfectly suited for those who appreciate refined craftsmanship and expressive cool-climate Chardonnays, the Giant Steps Ocarina Clay Ferment Chardonnay 2020 is a sophisticated choice for both special occasions and fine dining. Its elegance and complexity highlight the exceptional potential of the Yarra Valley's terroir and the visionary winemaking style of Giant Steps.

Critic Scores

Fruit from 5 single vineyards with each parcel whole-bunch pressed to 675L clay egg-shaped fermentation/aging pots. The lids are sealed with clay so there’s no lees stirring. Fermented with wild yeast and 2 lots went through spontaneous mlf. It’s quite astonishing how these vessels shape the feel and taste of the final blend. This chardonnay is tight, linear and superfine with its acid profile. Yet it has plenty of flavour with hints of citrus, lemon salts and a smidge of creamed honey. It’s refreshing and pulsating with energy. A super drink.

"Convincing, outstanding wine of strength and sublime texture. Slightly wild, a super saline minerally core, green apple, faintest fino notes, plenty of detail and complexity here with striking drinkability in tow. Impressive length, clean lines, great character. A katana thrust. Chardonnay done fancy, but cool."

"Buttery Burgundian complexity sets this apart from the other 2020 Giant Steps chardonnays. It's rich and remarkably complex for an unoaked wine. Ageing in clay 'egg' vessels provided some similar effects to a wood-matured effect. A more up-front, generous style and a quite remarkable wine."

Vinification & Cultivation

Crafted only for our premium wines

Vineyard Cultivation

Giant Steps is a Yarra Valley estate founded by Phil Sexton in 1997, known for site-expressive, single-vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The Ocarina Clay Ferment Chardonnay is a special cuvee blended from fruit off five single vineyards across the Yarra Valley, chosen for the way each parcel responds to fermentation in clay. The valley's cool, elevated sites, on ancient grey loams and clays, suit finely structured, high-acid Chardonnay. The 2020 vintage in the Yarra was shaped by a hot, dry and low-yielding season affected by drought and some bushfire smoke; whites were less exposed than reds, and Giant Steps' careful parcel selection produced tight, energetic Chardonnay of real drive.

Vinification

Fruit from the five vineyards is whole-bunch pressed, with each parcel run separately into 675-litre clay egg-shaped fermenters. The lids are sealed with clay, so there is no lees stirring, and the wine ferments on indigenous yeasts; two parcels underwent spontaneous malolactic fermentation. Ageing entirely in clay rather than oak leaves the fruit unmasked while the vessels lend a subtle textural, faintly Burgundian complexity of their own. The finished blend is tight, linear and superfine, with citrus, lemon-salt and a touch of creamed honey, pulsing acidity and no woody imprint. Alcohol is around 13%.

About this Wine

Victoria

The wine region of Victoria has the highest number of grape vines than any other state in Australia. It is home to over 600 wineries and well known regions such as Yarra valley, Heathcote, and Rutherglen. Victoria is situated in the southeastern corner of Australia where due to the location, the climate has a cool maritime influence and is known for their outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, along with producing Australia’s most famed dessert Muscat and Topaque wines.

There are a number of different terroir levels throughout the wine region of Victoria which leads to the production of different ranges of wines. In the southern region of Victoria, the vines are regulated by the cool winds of the Bass Strait. Central Victoria consists of mostly flat terrain that tends to be drier and warmer than the rest of Victoria, which results in more fruit concentrated wines. It may be surprising to note that Victoria is the third most productive wine region in Australia, seeing as it does not have as many areas suitable for viticulture, which has resulted in the cellar door culture of Victoria being concentrated with smaller, but more personal boutique wineries.

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