{"product_id":"2024-giant-steps-applejack-vineyard-chardonnay","title":"2024 Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Chardonnay","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 Points James Halliday — Single-Vineyard Yarra Valley Chardonnay from the Applejack Parcel\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMy Wine Man on Giant Steps.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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. The 2024 vintage continues this legacy with a wine of extraordinary precision and site-driven character.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBright 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. \u003cstrong\u003e96 Points — James Halliday.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStyle \u0026amp; Drinking Window\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFull-bodied yet precise, with exceptional natural acidity and a long, mineral-driven finish. Drinking beautifully now through 2030–2032. Decanting for 30 minutes will open up the bouquet and reveal the wine’s full complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood Pairing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn iconic Yarra Valley Chardonnay like this adores rich, buttery shellfish. We love it with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.mymeatman.com\/products\/wild-japanese-hokkaido-sea-scallops-sashimi-grade-2s-size\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eHokkaido Sashimi-Grade Sea Scallops\u003c\/a\u003e from \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.mymeatman.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eMy Meat Man\u003c\/a\u003e. The wine’s white peach, nectarine, toasted hazelnut, and bright saline-tinged acidity complement the sweet, plump scallops beautifully — whether seared in brown butter with a light white butter sauce, served with a delicate bisque, or simply grilled with lemon and herbs.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy This Is a Smart Buy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e96 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 — and at this price point, it is genuinely exceptional value for a wine of this calibre and critical recognition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLooking for a Different Style?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/2024-shaw-and-smith-m3-chardonnay\"\u003e2024 Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay\u003c\/a\u003e — Adelaide Hills benchmark with mineral precision\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/2023-coldstream-hills-chardonnay\"\u003e2023 Coldstream Hills Chardonnay\u003c\/a\u003e — classic Yarra Valley from Halliday’s own estate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/2023-fraser-gallop-parterre-estate-chardonnay\"\u003e2023 Fraser Gallop Parterre Estate Chardonnay\u003c\/a\u003e — Margaret River richer alternative\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0699\/6194\/1061\/files\/life_is_too_short_to_drink_bad_wine-1.jpg?v=1778312714\" alt=\"Life is too short to drink bad wine\" style=\"max-width: 100%; width: 400px; height: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Wine Man","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45074136268869,"sku":null,"price":449.0,"currency_code":"HKD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0699\/6194\/1061\/files\/2022-giant-steps-applejack-vineyard-chardonnay.png?v=1777457544","url":"https:\/\/www.mywineman.com\/products\/2024-giant-steps-applejack-vineyard-chardonnay","provider":"My Wine Man","version":"1.0","type":"link"}