Bob McDonald

9.5

Beechworth is in the foothills of the Victorian Alps and is fast becoming one of the premier districts for Chardonnay in Australia thanks to the burgeoning success of Giaconda (and also Savaterre). The Rodda Smiths Vineyard is a neighbour to these 2 Icons. Aromatics of grapefruit, white flowers and grilled nuts. On the medium bodied palate Peach, citrus and ripe grapefruit of medium plus intensity. Ticks all the boxes. 2021 was an excellent vintage in Beechworth as it was for most of Australia. Excellent wine and good value. — 9 months ago

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. Had my 2nd and last bottle 59 weeks later on 21st December 2024 with consistent notes. Power without weight. — 3 years ago

Ross Bathgate

9.2

2004 Vintage Overtly green and herbal on the nose but still with lovely Cabernet sweet fruit and fine tannin. — 4 years 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. — 8 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.1

On the first whiff, I think of red fruits stewed in soya sauce if that even makes sense. Probably not going to get any better from here on. Fading fruit on the palate, although it did come on strong and sweet in the front. Oaky spice and dusty notes to finish.

A pleasure and privelege to drink. The age definitely shows, but I can't say I didn't crack a smile - I've had oldies far younger that didn't hold up this well. Good to note that it's also probably one of the first vintages of Giaconda's Pinot Noir. — 9 years ago

Thomas Colman

9.4

In a world of its own. I'm impressed — 10 years ago

Mark Rosse

9.7

A singular wine! — 10 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

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. — 2 years 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. — 3 years ago

Scott Taddeo

9.3

Blown away, the best Aussie neb I’ve had — 8 years ago

Ceccherini Cristiano

9.2

There are expensive chardys coming from Beechworth, but not all of them
The quality of the fruit is superb, well over the average of the country
Stylistically they use oak, but thanks to the flesh of the wines it is less prominent than what the classic oaked chardys were
In this case we have a little extraction of colour from the skins.
I like it, it has got a wonderful feel in my mouth
Beechworth is not only Giaconda. That's a good news☺️☺️ — 9 years ago

Rubychick

9.0

Giacondas little cygnet — 10 years ago

Alexander Vadas

9.4

First in the 93 Aussie lineup. Really lovely - plenty of life ahead — 10 years ago

with Mathew

KA

9.3

Emirates First Class — a year 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. — 2 years 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. Had my last bottle on 29th September 2024 with consistent notes. An excellent Beechworth Chardonnay with amazing QPR. Flinty, gravelly, stone fruit and delicious. — 3 years 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. — 8 years ago

Alexander Vadas

9.3

Mistaken for n. Rhone — 8 years ago

with Mathew and Stephen

Bob McDonald

9.6

Mid Lemon. A nose of citrus but a palate of stone fruit. White peach and cream. Palate staining intensity with great length. Oak is totally integrated into the fruit at 9 years. Used to be regarded as Australia's premier Chardonnay and probably still is depending on your style preference. Other Margaret River icons plus Giaconda , Oakridge and Bindi amongst others in the East also vying for the mantle. World class. Halliday once compared the 1987 to a premier Cru Puligny. — 10 years ago

Sunil Gupta

9.0

Bell Hill vertical Pinots 2006-10
Aging gracefully, 2006 singing now
2008 Bell Hill Chardonnay outshone the Giaconda for me . — 11 years ago