96 Points James Halliday — Single-Vineyard Yarra Valley Chardonnay from the Applejack Parcel

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. The 2024 vintage continues this legacy with a wine of extraordinary precision and site-driven character.

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. 96 Points — James Halliday.

Style & Drinking Window

Full-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.

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. 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.

Why This Is a Smart Buy

96 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.

Looking for a Different Style?

• 2024 Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay — Adelaide Hills benchmark with mineral precision
• 2023 Coldstream Hills Chardonnay — classic Yarra Valley from Halliday’s own estate
• 2023 Fraser Gallop Parterre Estate Chardonnay — Margaret River richer alternative