{"product_id":"giant-steps-applejack-vineyard-chardonnay-2024","title":"Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Chardonnay 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Description:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eApplejack stands among the most vital Chardonnays in Yarra’s single-vineyard portfolio.\u003c\/em\u003e Planted by Ray Guerin in 1997 on volcanic soils at Gladysdale, this east-facing site rests at 220–320 metres elevation. Soils of grey clay loam over basalt base, combined with cooler ripening and precise canopy management, yield a wine that’s both savoury and taut, yet intensely focused.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2024 vintage, made with 100% hand-harvested, whole-bunch pressed fruit that is wild-fermented in 500 L French oak puncheons, spent up to nine months on lees. This approach allows every nuance of the site to shine—there’s energy and clarity, not weight, and a tension that marks vintage character over winemaking artifice. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApplejack Chardonnay is immediate in energy yet built for several years of tracking, rooted in mineral vibrancy rather than flesh. It reveals itself quietly at first, then steadily grows in presence—an insider’s Chardonnay with line, detail and the promise of deeper rewards to come.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e NOSE\u003cbr\u003e – Savoury \u0026amp; precise\u003cbr\u003e Spiced nectarine, lemon rind, grilled nuts, and pencilly oak hints, carried by bright citrus energy \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePALATE\u003cbr\u003e – Focused \u0026amp; electric\u003cbr\u003e Intensity and compact precision with lemon butter and refreshing acidity, sustained by tight drive and an undercurrent of salinity \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFINISH\u003cbr\u003e – Long \u0026amp; mineral\u003cbr\u003e Lingering vitality, vivid and tensile—marked by cedar spice, creamy passage, and a saline, energised aftertaste \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviews \u0026amp; Accolades\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003e“Light bright yellow in the glass with creamy pastry, spiced nectarine and lemon aromas and flavours, the palate intense and compact, tightly focused and long, with pencilly\/cedary and lemon butter flavours of great energy and vitality, lingering long on the aftertaste. Refreshing acidity. Superb now, even better with a bit more age on it.”\u003c\/em\u003e – Huon Hooke, \u003cem\u003eThe Real Review\u003c\/em\u003e, White Wine of the Year Australia, 98 Points (January 2025).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“96 points — Applejack vineyard was planted at Gladysdale… bright green gold. A pure and gently reticent bouquet of stone fruits, lemon verbena and crushed rocks. The palate is tightly coiled, steely, saline and focused. A wine with excellent potential.”\u003c\/em\u003e – Philip Rich, \u003cem\u003eJames Halliday Wine Companion\u003c\/em\u003e 2025.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“96pts… This is a ripping chardonnay. It has fruit power up its sleeve and in its wrist bands and everywhere else. And yet it’s tight. And stony. Shot with white peach… sweet cedar, brine and the wet leaves of a lemon tree. There’s some dare to the acidity but it brings flavour with it… an advanced level wine.”\u003c\/em\u003e – Campbell Mattinson, \u003cem\u003eThe Wine Front\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFiner Details:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Style - White Wine\u003cbr\u003e Varietal - Chardonnay\u003cbr\u003e Country - Australia\u003cbr\u003e Region - Yarra Valley, Victoria\u003cbr\u003e Vintage - 2024\u003cbr\u003e Bottle Size - 750 ml\u003cbr\u003e ABV - 13.3%\u003cbr\u003e Closure - Screwcap\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giant Steps","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45166931378367,"sku":"GSAPPVCH-24","price":100.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0575\/5174\/9311\/files\/f576a02f-1f5e-4095-ae37-111540b64083.jpg?v=1770935686","url":"https:\/\/cbdcellars.sydney\/products\/giant-steps-applejack-vineyard-chardonnay-2024","provider":"CBD Cellars","version":"1.0","type":"link"}