Giant Steps, Applejack Chardonnay, Yarra Valley

Mid yellow. Now in its early stage of maturity. That lovely phase of still some primary white peach fruit with nice spiciness on the nose, coupled to lovely mid weight palate richness and fresh clean acid finish. Long palate. Still get legs to develop more complexity but on its way.

Screwcap, 13% alc. Very youthful, medium straw tending to pale gold. Powerful, toasty and engaging nose of toasted oak, flint, nectarine, sawdust, grapefruit and graphite. The toasty and spicy oak spreads on the palate, joined with some tinned peach, some delicate umami richness, and fly spray. The wine is penetrating and intensely flavoured, with excellent length for a medium bodied Chardonnay. Firm acidity keeps it tight, composed, and fresh. Opinion: Drinking well now and will keep for a long while …

Delicious minerality on the palate. Refreshing and nice served cold. Good change from France and California. Offers another option with different character and flavor profile.

A year or so since I last tasted it, my notes are similar, except tonight I am more struck by leesy aromas, and also by a noticeable viscous texture. A very good Aussie Chardonnay, but not a great one.

Natural yeast, A Yarra Valley Cuvee for the Market. So a blend but then dropped down significantly in price. Linear but still with fruit. Some lees stirring

Colour is light straw/gold, very youthful. Nose shows citrus (lemon, grapefruit) a touch of fig and apricot. The palate is medium bodied, quite high in acid, citrus, stone fruit and a touch of oak. It is quite viscous without being heavy. I liked the wine but it is a good rather than great wine. The Single vineyard wines (Sexton, Tarraford) are a lot better though this is a pleasant wine at a reasonable price. I wonder if a few years …

Deceptively light straw in color with peachy apricot aroma leading to a slightly citrus tarty lemongrass which is heavier in body than expected by sight. More for the buttery oak drinker.

Young fresh and vibrant. Good acidity with lots of fruit lingering on the palate. Very enjoyable and a wine that I wish I had more of

Pale straw. A nose of simple fruit, the faintest hint of oak. On the palate, something like barley sugar - not that it's sweet, really, but there's something sugary there. I suppose you could call it crystallised lemon or something like that. I've loved Giant Steps' bold single vineyard Chards in the past, and this is a whole lot tamer, less intense, less oaky, and, I have to admit, less impressive. But then it is about half the price of …

Nice full bodied, but not too oakey. Yummy with Bugs.

Oak is not overwhelming yet is present in the right proportion. Slightly bright on first sip but settles in the palate by second glass. Not in the same league as the single vineyard Chardonnays but still very good.