Giaconda

A. Rodda

Smiths Vineyard Chardonnay 2018

Grown in the gravelly soils of Beechworth in the foothills of the Australian Alps. Nearby neighbours would be Giaconda, possibly the best Chardonnay in Australia. This was leaner than ideal but certainly an ideal terroir for cool climate Chardonnay. Good acid and tension but to be critical it lacks a little mid palate fruit. This was the first of 4. Will be interesting to see how it develops. Good value at $35 AUD. — 9 days ago

Tom, Dawn and 18 others liked this

Sorrenberg

Chardonnay 2016

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. — 9 months ago

Tom, Ming and 22 others liked this

Sentió

Beechworth Chardonnay 2017

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. Had my last bottle on 29th September 2024 with consistent notes. An excellent Beechworth Chardonnay with amazing QPR. Flinty, gravelly, stone fruit and delicious. — a year ago

Tom, Byron and 18 others liked this

Giaconda

Nantua Les Deux Chardonnay

creamy and soft, with an easy balance and firm, supporting mineral backbone. — 2 months ago

Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey

Les Champlots Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Chardonnay 2015

The one Burgundy in my lineup of 6 Chardonnays. Grapefruit/Citrus, some flint - not as smoky and sulphidic as the Giaconda. I thought some tasters might have thought the Giaconda was the white Burgundy (all tasted blind). 35 year old vines. Quite fine. — 3 months ago

Ray, Tom and 25 others liked this
Andrew Cullimore

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Great line up @Bob McDonald , well done !
Bob McDonald

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Thanks Andrew. Australian Chardonnay has been steadily improving for some years now and these are some of the best. A noteable omission was the Cullen Kevin John where I didn’t have a 2015. I do however have a 2007 which is stunning. Saving for 2027 when it is 20 years old.

Giaconda

Nantua Les Deux Shiraz 2017

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. — a year ago

Ming, Severn and 15 others liked this

Savaterre

Beechworth Chardonnay 2010

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. — 7 years ago

Velma, Shawn and 5 others liked this

Giaconda

Estate Vineyard Chardonnay 2015

At my 2015 Chardonnay Challenge the Giaconda was a consensus 3rd. Easily the most smoky, sulphidic, struck match of the 6 wines. I loved it. On the palate a powerful wine. Opulent. This wine is becoming difficult to source and sells out in a flash upon release. — 3 months ago

Ray, Tom and 21 others liked this
Ron R

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@Bob McDonald, I just purchased some of the 2021 vintage. Any thoughts on the vintage? Drink or hold? Thanks in advance.
Bob McDonald

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@Ron R Ron, Huon Hooke gave this 99 points with a drinking window of 2023 to 2037. “Extraordinary palate length and drive”. Huon is a long time creditable reviewer in Australia.
Ron R

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Thanks, @Bob McDonald. I’ve never heard of that guy, but your insights I take to the bank.

Giaconda

Nantua Les Deux Nebbiolo 2016

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. — a year ago

Peter, Severn and 19 others liked this
Peter Sultan

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Never knew: Australia =Nebbiolo, @Bob McDonald
Bob McDonald

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@Peter Sultan Yes Peter. There are a few Italian varietals being grown like Sangiovese, Nero d’Avola, Fiano, Arneis and several others.
David T

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Love 16.

Giaconda

Cabernet Sauvignon

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