Bob McDonald

9.0

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. — 6 days 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. — 9 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. 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

Rohan van Gils

9.0

creamy and soft, with an easy balance and firm, supporting mineral backbone. — 2 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 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. — a year 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. — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.7

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. — 2 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. — a year 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