98 Points - Erin Larkin | 97+ Points - Gary Walsh
There are few names in Australian wine as revered as those of Giaconda and its founder Rick Kinzbrunner. Since 1982, Rick has dedicated himself to the pursuit of vinous excellence in the Beechworth region. A lover of great Burgundy, Kinzbrunner is best-known for his incredibly powerful Chardonnay, with Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo not far behind. His signature winemaking style shows a rare combination of power and finesse - many believe his to be one of the few 'new world' Chardonnays that can compare to the great whites of Burgundy.
The 2022 Giaconda Estate Chardonnay is another sublime example of Beechworth Chardonnay that is already attracting plenty of attention. With only very limited stocks available - this will sell out quickly.
"98 Points. The 2022 Estate Vineyard Chardonnay follows hot on the heels of the perfect 2021 release, and in doing so, it has big boots to fill. Aromatically, the wine leads, as all Giaconda Chardonnay's do, with white flowers and notions of campfire and charred gum leaves, cracked white peppercorns and white peach, salt and caper brine. Crushed and salted nuts, enoki mushroom, shaved fennel, torched pink grapefruit ... the cavalcade of flavors march on across the palate. In this season, the wine is altogether more quietly nuanced and placid than the sleek, powerfully focused 2021 vintage. However, in so saying, this wine is balanced and fine, somewhat less overtly reductive (although still imbued with that salivating characteristic), populated by softer-spoken fruit and yet no less sapid or palate staining. It is in the mouth that the pedigree of the wine comes to the fore. The chalky texture and the penetrating intensity of flavor in combination are what make this wine so great, as I see it, and the 2022 vintage provides a gentle framework within which the wine exists. This is a gorgeous, elegant, precise and detailed release of this magnificent wine. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.”- Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate.
"97+ Points. This is such a powerful wine. It has plenty of struck match, but also white peach and nectarine, it fairly drips with white fruit richness, cashew and spice, aniseed, vanilla, and yeah, quite a bit of snuffed candle. It’s glossy and viscous, but has a superb cut of limey acidity, so much tang and juiciness to white fleshed fruit, such bite and intensity, and more of that spiced cashew flavour on a finish of outstanding length. Such concentration and vigour. It’s pretty much unlike most Australian Chardonnay wines, because it’s just so bold and commanding. Insane. It’s quite something.”- Gary Walsh, The Wine Front.
