{"product_id":"giant-steps-applejack-vineyard-chardonnay-2025","title":"Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Chardonnay 2025","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eApplejack’s high-altitude precision comes through in a tightly coiled Chardonnay of purity, tension and mineral drive.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiant Steps Applejack Vineyard Chardonnay 2025 comes from a small Chardonnay parcel within the Applejack Vineyard at Gladysdale in the Upper Yarra Valley. The site was planted in 1997 and sits on east-facing slopes over grey clay loam and basalt-derived volcanic soils, with its elevation contributing to a cooler and extended growing season. The 2025 season followed a wet winter with a warm, dry spring and an early, compressed harvest, producing fruit with excellent concentration while retaining natural freshness. All fruit was hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed before the juice was transferred directly to barrel by gravity without settling, retaining full lees. Wild fermentation took place in 500-litre French oak puncheons, preserving the vineyard’s fine-boned structure and mineral focus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wine underwent no bâtonnage and no malolactic fermentation, helping maintain its taut acidity and precise fruit profile. Maturation took place for nine months in French oak, with 12% new oak and the remainder seasoned, allowing subtle texture and spice without overwhelming the fruit. White peach, lemon and grapefruit sit alongside floral notes, flinty reduction and delicate oak complexity. The palate is concentrated but restrained, driven by a fine line of acidity and a distinctly mineral, saline character. Its combination of tension, length and controlled richness gives the 2025 Applejack Chardonnay both immediate appeal and the structure to develop further in bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOSE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Fine, citrus-driven and mineral\u003cbr\u003eWhite peach, lemon, grapefruit and white flowers with subtle flint, wet-rock character and restrained French oak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePALATE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Taut, concentrated and precise\u003cbr\u003eBright stone fruit and citrus are carried by finely etched acidity, delicate texture and a firm mineral line, with subtle oak adding depth without heaviness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFINISH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Long, saline and focused\u003cbr\u003ePersistent citrus, white peach and mineral notes extend through a finely structured, precise and energetic finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviews \u0026amp; Accolades\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Applejack vineyard was planted at Gladysdale by Ray Guerin in '97, and only 2ha of its 11ha are planted to chardonnay. Fermented and matured in neutral puncheons. While this is a little richer than the '24, all the hallmarks of this vineyard are still here. Light stone fruits, lemon, white flowers and a little flint. The palate is equally restrained, with a lovely fine vein of acidity that runs through the wine. Finishes long and precise. An Applejack that can be enjoyed now and over the next five to seven years.”\u003c\/em\u003e — Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion, 96 Points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“I am fully on-board with this release of Applejack Chardonnay. It’s a beauty. Pure, long, showing a little more flint than usual, all line and length in general but with a bit of extra punch and flare on top. This is tight and taut and tense and all those things, but wow does it extend and wow does it thrill. We’re in chardonnay for chardonnay lovers territory. White peach, cedar, lactose, a touch of lemonade; the sum is far more than the parts. Fantastic wine. Compelling. Intense. On a mission.”\u003c\/em\u003e — Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, 96 Points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFiner Details:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBrand - Giant Steps\u003cbr\u003eStyle - White Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Chardonnay\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eState - Victoria\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Yarra Valley\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2025\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13%\u003cbr\u003eSize - 750ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44418564718679,"sku":"GS-APJ-CH-25","price":89.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/141b81a2-7c30-485b-a441-fea4653f4cf4.webp?v=1791330510","url":"https:\/\/kentstreetcellars.com.au\/products\/giant-steps-applejack-vineyard-chardonnay-2025","provider":"Kent Street Cellars","version":"1.0","type":"link"}