Giaconda New Releases

Evolving beautifully in our underground granite cellar. Reminiscent of the 2010 chardonnay, this wine exhibits matchstick, funky reduction, white peach, tangelo peel, grapefruit and hazelnut. Multilayered, fresh and elegant with tremendous persistence that finishes with a strong mineral impact and signature aromatics of the Estate Vineyard site. [En Primeur barrel tasting notes]

“It’s like being attacked by a chain smoking sumo wrestler.”

– Gary Walsh, Wine Front.

The powerhouse wine style of Australian Chardonnay. It’s fallen to me, for at least the past few years, to review this wine. A whole heap of struck match, dropped into melting butter. It’s slippery and powerful, lime and fresh cut pineapple acidity, oatmeal, ginger and cinnamon, peppermint and white chocolate, pear skin and chalk, feels very wet and very dry at once, citrus zest and oak spice, pancakes with peaches, grip and crunch and smoke on a very long finish. Almost painful in its intensity and volume, so much so, the neighbours can probably hear me drinking it. Yet, still, undeniable quality in the glass here. En garde. Drink 2021 - 2030. Rated 96 Points. Gary Walsh, The Wine Front.
 

An exercise in 'natural' wine making where the accent is on doing little other than being vigilant. This Roussanne has been fermented and aged on skins for 9 months in Spanish Amphorae (Terracotta pots). A fascinating example of natural wine at its best, whereby all the varietal characters and freshness are retained. Displays a strong hue of green and gold - a complex dry white with an edge of the funky fruit characters; accented by notes of ginger, citrus peel, honeysuckle and white flowers. The palate is incredibly textural and framed by minimal acidity that is discretely tucked into the background. This finishes with a powerful end note of minerality, creating a perfect example of sophisticated dry white wine. Utterly unique! Giaconda Web Site

An incredible nose of exotic spices, dark fruits and blackberry, underpinned by alluring minerality. The palate is rich and lush reminiscent of dark chocolate. This wine offers the full spectrum of complex red and dark berry fruits and finishes on intense notes of graphite and slate. Very fine tannins linger and help to reinforce the graphite minerality. A wonderful return to form from the Warner Vineyard, almost too complex to describe at this stage. We look forward to observing its evolution in barrel over the next year. [En-Primeur barrel tasting notes]

Exceptionally complex, dark and brooding. Smoked meats, gun flint, briary undergrowth and dark fruits are complimented by elegant floral notes. The utterly beguiling aroma is matched by a round and textural palate which is packed with wild berry fruits. Savoury tannins build on a long, spicy and complete mouthful of flavours. [En-Primeur barrel tasting notes]

Magenta dye and blood red. Both red and black fruits play a part here; high toned, spicy notes jostle with a fragrant oak lift, balanced by roasted beetroot, blood plums; simply seductive on the palate, rounded, spicy, elegant and yet so powerful. The tannins are a masterclass in perfection, present yet discretely playing in the background whilst the fruit stands front of stage. A wine that is truly complete. Nevertheless patience will be rewarded as this wine transforms from youthful exuberance into a sublime, sophisticated expression of site and maker. This wine continues the phoenix like resurgence of pinot noir here at Giaconda - new clones, new plantings and greater understanding of how to coax the very best out of this delightful and beguiling variety.