Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Giant Steps

Giant Steps promotes the single vineyard concept in the Yarra Valley. The Sexton vineyard is well known, whereas the Wombat vineyard is a new addition. The 2017 Giant Steps Wombat Vineyard Chardonnay is a cracker. This vineyard is situated 120 meters higher than the Sexton, and it shows. The wine is quite tight and restrained at present, with excellent definition and minerality (94 points). The 2017 Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay, on the other hand, is fruitier, more generous and broader (91 points).

My preference of the Pinot Noirs goes the other way. The 2017 Wombat Vineyard Pinot Noir delivers strawberry notes. It is finely woven, but lacks some volume, and the tannins are a bit harsh for this light-bodied wine (90 points). The 2017 Sexton Vineyard Pinot Noir is more generous again, but with good acidity and fine tannins. The mouthfeel is not fully satisfying (92 points).

All wines are quite well made, and it would be totally legitimate to come up with a different order of preference depending on your taste.

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