Giant Steps Bastard Hill Chardonnay
A brilliant and pure scented bouquet of nashi, pink grapefruit, crushed rock, sea spray and honeysuckle. There's a hint of fresh honeycomb, too. Incisive, pure and chalky on the palate, this concentrated yet light on its feet wine is reminiscent of good Corton-Charlemagne. That it will age gracefully is a given.
Elanto Vineyard Chardonnay
Elanto Vineyard, a 10.6-hectare high-density site on the Mornington Peninsula, is managed by acclaimed winemaker Sandro Mosele and his team. With 11,000 vines per hectare—four times the typical density—yields are limited to 300-500g per vine, enhancing concentration and power in the wines. Organic practices, deep soil cultivation, and volcanic basalt soils rich in iron stone encourage site-specific expression, while the vineyard's southeast aspect and cool sea breezes preserve natural acidity and freshness. The three Chardonnay vineyards—Verge, Buckshot, and Seawinds—span 4 hectares on the lower slopes, where silt over clay transitions to lighter, gravelly soils rich in buckshot. The cool southerly airflow and soil profile preserve natural acidity and enhance mineral notes. Each vineyard was harvested and vinified separately, with hand-sorted fruit whole-bunch pressed directly into a mix of new and older French oak barriques for natural fermentation. After 10 months in barrel, the wine spent an additional two months in large concrete vats before bottling. Brilliant pale straw colour with a subtle glimmer of green around the outskirts and a watery hue. Intense white peach, nectarine and dried honey scents are complimented by delicate biscuity oak, citrusy nougat and subtle flinty mineral elements. Long and showing a Burgundy like refinement across the palate, flavours of white peach, nectarine and citrus are brimming with freshness. Rich and concentrated yet light on its feet, notions of biscuity nougat, dried honey, faint crème brulee, subtle cashew and delicate infusions of flinty minerals lend further complexity. Possessing outstanding power and a cool tone, it concludes long and finessed with a gentle creamy textural feel. Drink over the next 5-6 years. Alc. 13.5%
OAKRIDGE 864 FUNDER CHARDONNAY
The Oakridge 864 range is a showcase of highly detailed micro-selections from the most exceptional single vineyard sites in the Yarra Valley. This Chardonnay comes from the Funder and Diamond Vineyard in Wandin East, a north-facing site at 240 metres elevation. Planted in 1990 with the renowned P58 clone, the vineyard’s red volcanic soils and cool climate produce wines of precision, purity and depth. A vibrant Chardonnay with lifted aromas of kaffir lime leaf, citrus pith, white nectarine and alpine mint, layered with notes of flint, ginger and toasted almonds. Subtle oak brings warmth through hints of ginger snap and spice. The palate is bright, textured and tightly coiled, with flavours of candied lime, lemon drop, grapefruit pith and juicy nectarine. A fine bead of acidity and mineral crunch carry the wine to a long, layered finish. Elegant yet powerful, this is a classic expression of 864 Chardonnay - refined, complex and built to age.