98 Points James Halliday — “A Magnificent Wine and the Best Giant Steps Chardonnay I've Tasted”

My Wine Man on Giant Steps. Giant Steps was founded by Phil Sexton in 1997 in Healesville, in the heart of the Yarra Valley, with a singular focus: to produce single-vineyard wines that express the full potential of this cool-climate region. The estate farms multiple named vineyard sites across the valley. Applejack is the jewel in the crown: a tiny parcel of old-vine Chardonnay at altitude in Gladysdale, where cool temperatures and well-drained soils produce fruit of exceptional concentration and natural acidity.

Tasting Notes

Bright green-gold in the glass. The bouquet is stunning — orchard and stone fruits, grilled nuts, white jasmine, and a distinctive marine scent. On the palate, intense yet perfectly balanced, with a complex mid-palate of white peach, nectarine, and toasted hazelnut, finishing spicy, chalky, and very long. A wine of extraordinary precision and length. 98 Points — James Halliday.

Food Pairing

An iconic Yarra Valley Chardonnay like this adores rich, buttery shellfish. We love it with Hokkaido Sashimi-Grade Sea Scallops from My Meat Man — seared in brown butter and finished with a light white butter sauce, the sweet plump scallops are a magnificent match for the wine's white peach, nectarine, toasted hazelnut and bright saline-tinged acidity.

Why This Is a Smart Buy

98 James Halliday points from one of the Yarra Valley's most celebrated single-vineyard sites at HK$499. Applejack is a wine that competes with the finest Australian Chardonnays at any price.

Looking for a Different Style?

• 2023 Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay — Adelaide Hills benchmark
• 2023 Coldstream Hills Chardonnay — classic Yarra Valley from Halliday's estate
• 2022 Fraser Gallop Parterre Chardonnay — Margaret River richer alternative