Bob McDonald

9.5

Funky, very sulphidic and smoky - very struck match …. but it works with nectarine notes. As I said in the previous note, Is this the best Chardonnay in Australia? Becoming hard to get when I bought a few bottles of the latest vintage a week ago. Like a quality Premier or Grand Cru white Burgundy. A medium bodied palate but the palate intensity is profound - off the charts. Soon I will have a blind tasting of 2015 Chardonnays with friends and include some Burgundies with wines like this, Leeuwin Estate, Heytesbury and Yattarna. — 8 days ago

Ross Bathgate

9.2

2004 Vintage Overtly green and herbal on the nose but still with lovely Cabernet sweet fruit and fine tannin. — 2 years ago

Scott Taddeo

9.3

Blown away, the best Aussie neb I’ve had — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Mid yellow in colour. Flinty, minerally with light stone fruit - under ripe peach/nectarine. Restrained, delicate, savoury, beautiful. Just an excellent Chardonnay whichever way you cut it. The labels copying the Burgundian graphics but totally worthy of the contents. Sorrenberg, in Beechworth, is a neighbour of Giaconda - generally recognised as one of the best in Australia. — 3 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

See previous note, a year ago. Funky and flinty - white peach, nougat, ripe grapefruit and mineral with well integrated French Oak - shows great finesse. From Beechworth in the gravelly soils at the foothills of the Victorian Alps which must be considered in the conversation about the best Chardonnay district in Australia when the iconic producer, Giaconda, put Beechworth on the map and many good judges believe to be the best Chardonnay in Australia. I would be surprised if any of Sentio is found outside of Australia. — 8 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Only ended up with a sip of this so not really enough to judge it properly. Savaterre is a near neighbour of Giaconda who make one Australia’s best Chardonnays near Beechworth in Northern Victoria. Surpassed on the day by the other 2 Chardonnays. — 6 years ago

Alexander Vadas

9.3

Mistaken for n. Rhone — 6 years ago

with Mathew and Stephen

Bob McDonald

9.2

Mid to pale crimson - almost transparent. Aromas of dried sweet cherries, earthy tones, Roses (but I didn’t notice tar). Medium plus powdery tannins as you would expect from this grape. The following night, still great with, again, a more intense palate than the pale colour would indicate. One of Australia’s better Nebbiolos, as you would expect from Rick Kinzbrunner who makes one of Australia’s best Chardonnays. Nantua is the second label of Giaconda. — 7 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Deep dark red with a blueish tinge. Herbal aromas with spice and clove. - dried meat, charcuterie notes. On the medium bodied palate savoury dry black cherry. A skinnsy bitter note that doesn’t detract. Grown in gravel clay soil in the foothills of the Victorian Alps. Another brilliant 2nd wine (Nantua) from Giaconda. — 10 months ago

Big Wave Dave

9.3

Very expressive nose - loads of sophisticated, restrained but quietly rich black fruit, with some black pepper and cigar box. Beautiful mouthfeel. Silky. Palate starts off sweet but then evolved with some spice. No more than medium bodied but great persistence and very long. Needs a few years to integrate more and fill out a bit but sublime balance and individual components auger very well for the future. Giaconda Warner vineyard at half the price. — 6 years ago