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Giant Steps Circle of Fifths Chardonnay 2024

Giant Steps Circle of Fifths Chardonnay 2024

HK$280
HK$280
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Tensile, Chalky, and Harmoniously Blended

Positioned as a serious, mid-tier "village blend," this Yarra Valley Chardonnay brings together components from all five of the estate's single-vineyard sites. It shifts away from purely linear, individual expressions to deliver a more layered chord of lemon pith, white nectarine, and salted cashews. Backed by subtle struck-match reduction and a driving, lemony acidity, it offers a structured and highly focused profile without any heavy oak presence.
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Style Profile at a Glance

Attribute Profile Scale
Body Medium-Bodied & Tensile ●●●●●
Sweetness Bone Dry ●●●●●
Acidity Crisp & Tensile ●●●●●
Fruit Grapefruit, Citrus Oil & Nectarine ●●●●●
Oak Subtle & Restrained (20% New) ●●●●●

Expert Tasting Notes & Estate Reputation

  • 95 Points – James Suckling: "A blend of lots from five single-vineyard bottlings, this chardonnay sits on the edge of reduction, with aromas of flint, phosphorus, lemon pith, grapefruit rind, chalk and orange blossoms. The palate is mid-weighted and textural, with a strong mineral drive and a high level of polish, leading into a mouthwatering finish. All the flashiness of the single-vineyard wines at a more approachable price. Drink or hold. Screw cap."
  • 94 Points – Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2024 Circle of Fifths Chardonnay comprises a blend of all five single vineyards. The wine shows a little of all, and in so doing, some of none. There is the austerity of acidity and cavalcade of crushed, salted and pasted nuts, lemon zest, citrus oil and green leaves, coupled finally with the floral and tea-like notes evident in all five cuvées. It's an interesting composition, perhaps a little frenetic, like some of John Coltrane's work (Circle of Fifths is named after the jazz arrangement toward the circle of fifths root movement, whereas Coltrane's proclivity is in thirds, which is unusual. Giant Steps was named after Coltrane's studio album), but pleasurable in just the same way. In its way, this wine endorses and emphasizes the singularity of the single-vineyard wines, but it offers immense satisfaction of its own accord as well. 13% alcohol, sealed under screw cap."
  • The Concept Behind the Blend: Named after a music theory arrangement that builds complex chord progressions (a direct nod to John Coltrane's jazz piece), the "Circle of Fifths" serves as a mid-tier village-style integration. Winemaker Melanie Chester utilizes barrels from all five elite single vineyards—Sexton, Tarraford, Applejack, Primavera, and Bastard Hill—to build a multi-layered harmony.

Highlights

  • A purposeful composition crafted by combining select barrels from Giant Steps' five core single-vineyard estates across the Yarra Valley.
  • Grapes are 100% hand-picked and fastidiously sorted, followed by an overnight chill at 4°C prior to processing.
  • Whole-bunch pressed with full solids and fermented naturally via wild yeasts in French oak puncheons (20% new oak, 80% seasoned wood), with minimal stirring to keep the texture clean.

Tasting Notes

  • Appearance: Pale straw yellow with subtle pale green reflections.
  • Nose: Intentionally complex and mineral, revealing characters of white nectarine, lemon verbena, grapefruit rind, grilled cashews, and a fine veil of flinty reduction.
  • Palate: Taut, structured, and focused. Linear, lemony acidity cuts through a mid-palate rich in citrus oil and green tree fruits, underpinned by an oyster-shell salinity and a long, chalky, dry finish.

Serving Suggestion

  • Temperature: Serve slightly chilled at 10–12°C to allow the structural layers and mineral drive to unfurl.
  • Decanting: Not strictly required, but opening the bottle 15 minutes before serving softens its high-strung acidity and balances the subtle flinty components. Well-suited for drinking now or cellaring over the next 4–6 years.
  • Western Pairing: Complements pan-seared John Dory, roast chicken with herbal stuffing, or crab cakes served with a lemon-herb aioli.
  • Asian & Cantonese Pairing: The wine's distinct marine salinity, mineral drive, and sharp citrus acidity frame delicate proteins and rich textures naturally. It pairs exceptionally well with 龍蝦伊麵 (Lobster Yee Mein), 清蒸大斑魚 (Steamed Garoupa with Soy and Scallion), or 脆皮炸子雞 (Crispy Fried Chicken).

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