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Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay 2023

  • Halliday's Wine Companion
    97 Points
  • Wine Enthusiast
    95 Points
    James Halliday Wine Companion 2025 Winery Of The Year
Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay 2023
  • Halliday's Wine Companion
    97 Points
  • Wine Enthusiast
    95 Points
    James Halliday Wine Companion 2025 Winery Of The Year
Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay 2023
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Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay 2023

SKU: GSSC202310 UCAU
Biodynamic
Ready, but will Keep
Regular price $90.00 $84.99 / bottle
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1 bottle
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From The James Halliday Winery of the Year

97 Points, Wine Companion

#53 on the Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Cellar Worthy wines in the World

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Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay 2023

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Tasting Notes

Sexton Vineyard is a unique and highly respected vineyard located in the Yarra Valley, Victoria. Situated on the steep slopes of the Warramate Ranges, alongside the vineyards of iconic Yarra producers Yarra Yering and Coldstream Hills, it is one of the most revered pockets of the Valley. The vineyard is located in Gruyere and has an elevation of 130-210 meters with a north-facing aspect. The vineyard spans across 30 hectares and was planted in 1997, with a soil type of grey clay loam. The Sexton Vineyard is a unique terroir, with a tough, rocky clay base and shallow gravelly loams, resulting in naturally low bunch yields. The topsoil is thin and root systems have established themselves in shallow gravelly loams above a tough, rocky clay base. This environment produces intensely flavored fruit with high skin to juice ratio. The predominant clones used in the vineyard are GinGin and Mendoza, which produce hens and chickens (large and small grapes on the same bunch), resulting in high white tannin and phenolic content to balance the citrus flavors. The unique terroir of the Sexton Vineyard, with its tough, rocky clay base and shallow gravelly loams, results in wines that are highly sought after and respected. The vineyard produces wines that are both complex and delicious, with a balance of acidity and fruit flavors.

 

Critic Scores

Made from a 50/50% blend of Gingin and Bernard clones planted between 100 and 200m in Gruyere. Whole-bunch pressed to French puncheons (25% new oak) with 15% mlf. Right now, this is the most salivating and seductive of Giant Step's superb array of single-vineyard chardonnays from '23. Perfectly ripened white peach, pear and some marine scents lead onto the palate, which is gently textured, saline and structured. The finish is energetic, nutty and long.

Sexton is the richest of the trio of single vineyard Yarra Chards. Medium gold in hue, it opens with opulent aromas of caramel, ginger snap, citrus and mushroom. Its generosity on the palate is brightened by lovely, unforced acidity. Long, with a mineral note creeping in amidst the more polished oak-and-lees characters, this drinks nicely now but should evolve beautifully over the next several years and until 2034.

Vinification & Cultivation

Crafted only for our premium wines

Vineyard Cultivation

The Sexton Vineyard continues to define Giant Steps' single-vineyard Chardonnay programme within Yarra Valley. The 2023 vintage was marked by favourable growing conditions in this cool-climate region, where maritime influence moderates daytime temperatures and encourages slow, even ripening. The vineyard's well-draining alluvial soils and aspect create ideal conditions for Chardonnay, balancing fruit concentration with natural acidity preservation. The growing season allowed optimal phenolic development whilst maintaining the crisp minerality that characterises the site.

Vinification

Selective hand-harvesting was followed by gentle whole-bunch pressing, a technique that Giant Steps employs to preserve juice clarity and reduce astringency. Fermentation in French oak barrels provided structure without obscuring varietal character, whilst extended lees contact developed textural complexity. Natural malolactic conversion progressed gradually, integrating acidity with secondary flavours. The wine remained in cool barrel conditions through extended élevage, protecting aromatic freshness.

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