Giant Steps Bastard Hill Vineyard Chardonnay 2024

Bastard Hill may be the most aptly named site in the Yarra. Brutally steep and tough to farm, but it rewards the effort with Chardonnay of rare definition and drive. Originally planted for sparkling in 1986 by Ray Guerin, this is now one of the region’s great cool-climate sites - perched at 300–400m on volcanic loam, tucked deep in Gladysdale.

The 2024 release is only the second under Giant Steps’ stewardship and it’s already clear: this vineyard is a powerhouse. A compressed growing season delivered small bunches and piercing natural acidity. The fruit was whole-bunch pressed to 500L puncheons, where it fermented wild. Only a quarter of the wine went through malo, dialling up tension rather than softening the edges.

It smells like crushed seashells and citrus pith, with pink grapefruit, green apple skin, and flint in behind. The palate is linear and racy - lemon peel and pear over a mineral core, with just enough texture to flesh it out. It’s razor-sharp, pure, and built for the long haul.

Bastard by name, elite by nature. This is a new star in the Giant Steps Chardonnay lineup.