Wine Review: Taking Giant Steps in Lusatia Park

The Lusatia Park vineyard has a bit of a rock star reputation and it is generally regarded as one of Australia’s top vineyard sites for Chardonnay by those that follow such wine geekery. It was established in 1985 on the Lone Star Creek, at Woori Yallock, in the Upper Yarra Valley and its elevated north facing aspect and deep free–draining red soils, make it a much sort after source of grapes for some of the best wineries in the Yarra Valley. Pale straw in the glass with a nose that displays pristine aromatic clarity and detail, it smells of ripe white peach while nectarine jumps from the glass along with notes of grapefruit and green apple. Hints of soft spice, marzipan, white flowers, poached pear, dried honey and oatmeal mesh beautifully with wafts of dreamy French oak and intriguing struck–match complexity. It’s spellbinding drinking with great purity, grace and balance. It just shimmers its way across the palate, finishing perfectly with a beautiful line of acidity and a vapour trail of spice, oatmeal, struck flint and sexy stone fruits. It’s a cracker. 2015 Lusatia Park Vineyard Chardonnay giantstepswine.com.au