Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay 2023

97 POINTS

Philip Rich - Halliday Wine Companion

Made from a 50/50% blend of Gingin and Bernard clones planted between 100 and 200m in Gruyere. Whole-bunch pressed to French puncheons (25% new oak) with 15% mlf. Right now, this is the most salivating and seductive of Giant Step's superb array of single-vineyard chardonnays from '23. Perfectly ripened white peach, pear and some marine scents lead onto the palate, which is gently textured, saline and structured. The finish is energetic, nutty and long.

97 POINTS

James Suckling

Complex aromas of lemon curd, candied lime zest, mandarins and flint. The palate is medium-bodied with bright acidity, giving notes of orange peel, hazelnuts, grapefruit pith, pralines and pastry. Very polished and refined with an underlying tension. Delicious.

96 POINTS

David Sly - Decanter

A cold, wet spring and cooler summer has given power and drive to bright, lively flavours from the high-elevation (200m) Sexton Vineyard. Lifted aromas show dark tones of exotic tropical fruits – grilled pineapple, yuzu and guava – with some fresh grated ginger. The palate entry is focused and tightly bound, although this taut and proud wine benefits from 20% malolactic fermentation and some battonage post-fermentation to add roundness to the mouthfeel. It has exuberance to match its serious power and drive.

96 POINTS

Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front

There’s genuine intensity of chardonnay fruit flavour here and a keen bite that goes with it. Sweet pear, white peach and citrus characters lead to a finish of green pineapple, grapefruit and brine, every step along the way both deliberate and powerful. No meanderings allowed here. Nougat oak teams it all seamlessly together, the finish long and resounding. General view would be that this is good to drink now but for me it needs at least another year in bottle.

95 POINTS

Christina Pickard - Wine Enthusiast

While Sexton's single vineyard counterpart, Tarraford, is unabashedly Aussie in style, this gives a wink to Burgundy, with rich cashew, hazelnut, flint and melon custard characters. 2023 was a cool vintage and it shows via wonderfully racy acidity, tension and poise. A class act by winemaker Melanie Chester and her team that drinks mighty well now but that should cellar beautifully.

93 POINTS

Angus Hughson - Vinous

The 2023 Chardonnay Sexton is a richer expression from the cool vintage, delivering sherbet and melon with stony tones and well-integrated oak. It is quite textural and seamless, with good volume of fruit, moderate weight and length. An attractive, appealing and approachable Chardonnay to enjoy over the short to medium term.