Giant Steps

Applejack Vineyard Chardonnay 2018

• 

  Vintage 2018
  96 points James Halliday Wine Companion

Hand-picked, whole-bunch pressed, no additions, wild-fermented in French puncheons (20% new), matured for 8 months with stirring for the first month. A spotless bouquet and an elegant palate of great length. Stone fruits and melon are threaded through a faint gauze of acidity, oak barely seen. This is an exercise in balance, and the certainty of future greatness.

• 

  Vintage 2018
  94 points The Wine Front

"This is i10v1, ‘the most boring clone in the chardonnay family’, suggests winemaker Steve Flamsteed, ‘but when you have some altitude, and vine age, things get a little more interesting’. Flinty, lean, racy style. Good puckering feel and tight, squeaky race across the palate. Citrus, wet stone, frangipani floral things to sniff on. Stone and flint licks to taste, a squeeze of grapefruit, green apple, pickled ginger, sparkling almost in its transparent whip-crack across the palate. Electric and lacy, mouth-watering and ultra fresh. Bright and brisk style really nicely done. Rated : 94 Points Tasted : APR19 Alcohol : 13% Price : $55 Closure : Screwcap Drink : 2019 - 2030"