Description / Reviews
"Situated in Gladysdale in the Upper Yarra Valley, Bastard Hill is a 31-hectare property with 13 hectares of vines planted exclusively to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Its expressive name comes from the vineyard’s steep slopes and high altitude, which range from 300 to 400 metres. Planted in the late 1980s by respected viticulturist Ray Guerin, Bastard Hill was initially dedicated to the production of super-premium sparkling wine. Its potential for still wines was quickly recognised, with Bastard Hill Chardonnay and Pinot Noir first released in the 1990s. Now regarded as one of Australia’s great Chardonnay sites, Bastard Hill produces wines of purity, concentration and texture. The Chardonnay comes predominantly from the south-facing Block 7, showing wild honey, candle wax, elderflower and chamomile, carried by a layered, textural palate." - Giant Steps, Winemaker
"Planted in '87 in Gladysdale at 400m. This vineyard gets picked a full month after Tarraford and Sexton! This is the third and best wine Giant Steps has made from this cool site. A very bright green gold. Penetrating aromas of crushed rock, nashi pear, ruby grapefruit and orange blossom. It's pure and precise on the palate, with a saline acid line giving the wine structure and length. A special wine that will age effortlessly over the next decade." - 98 Points, Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion
"The most complete wine yet released under the Giant Steps Bastard Hill name; which is saying something. Intensity, length, texture and X-factor are all so beautifully realised here. It tastes of grapefruit, nashi pear, almond butter, white peach and citrus, with a gentle run of brine carried throughout. Not only is this the most complete GS Bastard Hill; it’s also the most approachable on release. You could hook in right now and be blissfully happy. There’s a chalky/mineral/talc-like/chamomile aspect to the aftertaste which too is just such a delight to behold." - 97 Points, Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
