97 Points James Halliday — Single-Vineyard Yarra Valley Chardonnay of Exceptional Precision

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, each with its own distinct character and elevation. The Sexton Vineyard is one of the estate’s most prized parcels — producing Chardonnay of remarkable intensity, focus, and cool-climate precision. The 2024 vintage delivers a wine that is both site-expressive and immediately compelling.

Tasting Notes

Bright pale gold in the glass, with a nose of white peach, nectarine, and citrus blossom, underpinned by subtle grilled nut complexity and a fine mineral thread. The palate is tightly wound yet generous — stone fruit at the core, with beautifully integrated acidity, a creamy mid-palate texture, and a long, precise, chalky finish. A wine of real depth and cool-climate elegance. 97 Points — James Halliday.

Style & Drinking Window

Full-bodied yet finely structured, with exceptional natural acidity and a long mineral-driven finish. Drinking beautifully now through 2029–2031. Decanting for 20–30 minutes will open up the bouquet and reveal the wine’s full complexity.

Food Pairing

The stone fruit intensity and finely tuned acidity of the 2024 Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay make it a superb match for Bare Bird Premium Free-Range Chicken Breast Fillet from My Meat Man. The wine’s creamy texture and bright Yarra Valley acidity complement the clean, delicate character of free-range chicken breast beautifully — whether pan-seared with a lemon butter sauce, roasted with tarragon and white wine, or served alongside a light cream and wild mushroom fricassee.

Why This Is a Smart Buy

At HK$429, the 2024 Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay delivers 97 James Halliday points from one of the Yarra Valley’s most celebrated single-vineyard sites. Exceptional cool-climate precision, genuine critical recognition, and the rare combination of immediate drinkability and real cellaring potential — all at a price that makes it outstanding value for a wine of this calibre.

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