{"product_id":"giant-steps-bastard-hill-vineyard-chardonnay-2025","title":"Giant Steps Bastard Hill Vineyard Chardonnay 2025","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHigh-altitude Bastard Hill delivers a striking Chardonnay of purity, concentration and crystalline mineral drive.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiant Steps Bastard Hill Vineyard Chardonnay 2025 comes from one of the Upper Yarra Valley’s most celebrated cool-climate sites, situated at Gladysdale at approximately 380 metres elevation. The steep vineyard was originally planted in the late 1980s and has long been recognised for the quality of its Chardonnay, with volcanic red and ferrous loam contributing to the site’s distinctive structure and mineral expression. Chardonnay is sourced predominantly from the south-facing Block 7, where the cooler aspect extends ripening and helps preserve naturally bright acidity. In 2025, Bastard Hill was harvested on 7 March, significantly later than many of Giant Steps’ lower and warmer vineyard sites. The resulting fruit combined remarkable concentration with the precision and freshness that define this high-altitude vineyard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit was entirely hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed, with juice transferred directly to barrel by gravity without settling. Fermentation took place in 500-litre French oak puncheons, followed by nine months of maturation in French oak, with 17% new and 83% seasoned barrels and no malolactic fermentation. Nashi pear, ruby grapefruit and white peach are layered with orange blossom, crushed rock, wild honey, candle wax, elderflower and chamomile. The palate is concentrated and textural yet exceptionally precise, with a bright saline acid line providing structure and carrying the fruit through the length of the wine. Mineral, citrus and delicate floral nuances linger through an energetic finish, giving the 2025 both immediate appeal and significant potential for bottle development.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOSE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Pure, floral and mineral\u003cbr\u003eNashi pear, white peach and ruby grapefruit with orange blossom, crushed rock, elderflower, chamomile and subtle wild honey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePALATE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Concentrated, precise and textural\u003cbr\u003eLayered citrus and stone fruit are carried by vivid saline acidity, with fine texture, subtle almond and restrained French oak adding depth without heaviness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFINISH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Long, saline and crystalline\u003cbr\u003eGrapefruit, crushed stone, white flowers and fine savoury notes persist through an exceptionally focused, mineral-driven finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviews \u0026amp; Accolades\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Planted in '87 in Gladysdale at 400m. This vineyard gets picked a full month after Tarraford and Sexton! This is the third and best wine Giant Steps has made from this cool site. A very bright green gold. Penetrating aromas of crushed rock, nashi pear, ruby grapefruit and orange blossom. It's pure and precise on the palate, with a saline acid line giving the wine structure and length. A special wine that will age effortlessly over the next decade.\"\u003c\/em\u003e — Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion, 98 Points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"The most complete wine yet released under the Giant Steps Bastard Hill name; which is saying something. Intensity, length, texture and X-factor are all so beautifully realised here. It tastes of grapefruit, nashi pear, almond butter, white peach and citrus, with a gentle run of brine carried throughout. Not only is this the most complete GS Bastard Hill; it’s also the most approachable on release. You could hook in right now and be blissfully happy. There’s a chalky\/mineral\/talc-like\/chamomile aspect to the aftertaste which too is just such a delight to behold.\"\u003c\/em\u003e — Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, 97 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 - 13.2%\u003cbr\u003eSize - 750ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44418602172503,"sku":"GS-BAST-CH-25","price":89.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/giantsteps-bh-ch.png?v=1791342131","url":"https:\/\/kentstreetcellars.com.au\/products\/giant-steps-bastard-hill-vineyard-chardonnay-2025","provider":"Kent Street Cellars","version":"1.0","type":"link"}