Giant Steps Chardonnay 2019

2019 GIANT STEPS YARRA VALLEY CHARDONNAY  REGION: Yarra Valley, VictoriaVARIETALS: Chardonnay MATURATION: 8 months in French oak (10% new)ANALYSIS:  13.0% alc/vol  I  TA: 7.50  I  pH: 3.25 VINTAGE: 2019 saw fluctuating temperatures and rain events through spring driving a very mixed flowering in the different sub-regions. There was beautiful, moderate weather in early summer which produced rich dark green canopies, so that despite a few heat spikes in January, there were plenty of pristine bunches at harvest. Acidities were surprisingly fresh, perhaps driven by cool nights and the Chardonnay parcels have a depth and intensity not seen since 2015. WINEMAKING: The fruit was 100% hand-picked from Giant Steps’ Sexton, Applejack, Gruyere Farm, Wombat Creek and Tarraford vineyards. The grapes were whole bunch pressed then indigenous fermentation took place in 500L French oak puncheons at 60 - 74°F. The total time in oak was seven months and there was no lees stirring. No malolactic ferment