2023 Giant Steps Bastard Hill Vineyard Chardonnay 750ml

Vintage Notes   
The 2023 season in the Yarra Valley produced a limited but exceptional vintage, marked by a cool spring, mild growing conditions, and high rainfall. This year’s harvest was one of the latest on record, starting two and a half weeks later than usual. The grapes from this vintage boast impressive fruit concentration and vibrant natural acidity.

Vineyard Notes   
Location: Gladysdale  
Planted: 1986  
Elevation: 380 meters  
Soil Type: Volcanic loam (red/ferrous)  
Aspect: North and south-facing slopes  

Bastard Hill, a 31-hectare property in Upper Yarra Valley’s Gladysdale sub-region, features 13 hectares dedicated to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Named for its steep slopes and high altitude (300-400 meters), the site was originally planted by Ray Guerin in the late 1980s for premium sparkling wines. Recognized for its potential for top-quality still wines, Bastard Hill has been producing notable Chardonnay and Pinot Noir since the 1990s. The 2023 vintage marks its debut in the Giant Steps portfolio, showcasing the vineyard’s ability to produce concentrated, pure, and focused wines.

Winemaking   
Handpicked small bunches are whole-bunch pressed, with juice gravity-fed into barrels without settling. Fermentation occurs in 500L French puncheons, with 25% undergoing malolactic fermentation. The wine matures for 9 months in used French oak—25% second-use and 75% seasoned from Mercurey, Taransaud, and Dargaud & Jaeglé.