Giant Steps Tarraford Vineyard Chardonnay 2016

2016

£35.50

Availability: 96 in stock

Silky, decadent and poised Chardonnay. Boasting citrus, sorbet and nutty aromas, while maintaining a mineral line. The palate is well balanced, great acid structure and even greater sense of self. This wine is Eleganza!

Why we love it: This is what Mel would describe as Sexy as F**K!

Drink with: Great with all food but even better on its own.

Australia

Dry

Medium Bodied

Natural

Vegan

Country

Australia, Victoria

Sub-Region

Yarra Valley

Vintage

2016

Blend Info.

100% Chardonnay

Alcohol by Vol.

13.5%

Bottle Vol.

750ml

Serving Temp.

7 - 12°

Closure

Screwcap

Drink

Now - 2025

Giant Steps

Phil Sexton, founder of Giant Steps winery in Healesville, Victoria, is certainly not shy of giving things a go. Having helped to establish Matilda Bay Brewery in Victoria and Little Creatures in Western Australia. He also established Devil’s Lair in Margaret River, before selling it to the precursor of Treasury Wine Estates.

Giant Steps Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays

Giant Steps came along afterwards, with single-vineyard Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. Revealing a greater sense of place and complexity (having also scored very well with many wine critics).

Phil, being a jazz fan, named the winery after the album ‘Giant Steps’ by John Coltrane. In 2016, Phil sold Innocent Bystander to Brown Brothers, allowing him to focus purely on Giant Steps. Winemaker Steve Flamsteed worked at Leeuwin Estate in Margaret River. As well as in Yarra Burn in the Yarra Valley, before joining Phil at Giant Steps. The aim, to produce small batches of high-end wine. Using gravity wherever possible (due to it being more gentle than pumping wine).

Their Vineyards

Giant Steps source grapes from eight vineyards within the Yarra and Upper Yarra Valleys, Coal River Valley in Tasmania, and Central Otago, New Zealand. With the vast majority planted to produce Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The wines are pitched at middle to premium budgets. Brands such as the TOSQ Vineyard Pinot Noir from Central Otago and the Nocton Vineyard Pinot Noir from the Yarra Valley.

Giant Steps also makes its own Vermouth, Causes & Cures, made from a base of viognier and infused with botanicals. Harry’s Monster, a merlot and cabernet blend, is an ideal wine for those after something fuller in flavour.

For more information on Giant Steps and their wines, visit their website.

Victoria

Victoria Wine Region Australia

Boasting the title of ‘most diverse’ wine region in Australia, Victoria’s vintners know their wine. Despite being the smallest mainland state, Victoria wine regions, Australia boasts the most wine regions out of all the Australian states. It houses a plethora of individual wineries, producing some of Australia’s best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. As well as Fortified wine, Riesling, Shiraz and Sparkling Wines.

For more information on the Victoria wine region click here.

History of the Wine Regions

In fact, back in the 1880’s Victoria was Australia’s largest wine producer. However, outbreaks of Phylloxera (aphid like insects that inject venom into the roots of grapevines) and a focus on gold saw wine production in the state grind to a halt. In the 1970s, Victoria’s wine industry enjoyed a resurgence. This was led by a new generation of talented winemakers keen to take advantage of the diverse climate and soils available in the region.

Pinot Noir Production

The world renowned Yarra Valley wine region, is located just an hour from the state’s capital, Melbourne. The region is best known for its Pinot Noir, being that it is the most planted grape and occupies over 36% of vines in the region. The Yarra Valley boasts huge variations in elevation, climate and even soil types, allowing winemakers to be able to produce single vineyard wines that are notable for being unique to their sites.