2024 Giaconda Release
Giaconda is a priceless gem that lies on a magical reef of granitic soils to the south of Eldorado, once a flourishing goldrush township during the 19th Century. The gold is all but depleted, but the sub-alpine landscape around Beechworth has become one of Victoria’s most beautiful wine regions. Its reputation has been advanced by a small number of committed vignerons, many who have pioneered sustainable viticulture and winemaking. The fortunes of Beechworth and its surrounding communities have ebbed and flowed, but its potential as one of Australia’s emblematic wine regions cannot be overstated.
Nonetheless Giaconda, established in 1982, has become the reference. The south facing Estate Vineyard is beautifully sited and famous now, but its standing hinges on the remarkable craftsmanship and work ethic of Rick Kinzbrunner. The vineyard and the man are completely inseparable like culture and language.
The progress and reputation of Giaconda Estate Vineyard Chardonnay underscores this point. A four-decade journey of mostly hard solitary grind in the vineyard, unrelenting curiosity and imaginative winemaking have brought something of tangible and great value. In the wake of this magnificent obsession are the rewards of staying true to original visions, trusting close associates and keeping away from negative forces.
When the 2021 Giaconda Estate Vineyard Chardonnay was launched on La Place de Bordeaux through negociant JP Moueix in 2023, it enjoyed remarkable success, highlighting its transcendent and mythical reputation around the world. The follow up 2022 vintage will probably cause the same rush of blood and deservedly so, because the wine is equally spectacular.
But the Giaconda story is not only about chardonnay. Rick Kinzbrunner has also pioneered and settled on rousanne, pinot noir and shiraz at his Estate Vineyard. A fascination for nebbiolo, from a vineyard site nearby, is also achieving impressive results. The 2024 Giaconda releases below highlight Australian fine winemaking at its best. And it’s all harnessed to the fidelity, maturity and character of vineyard site. These are all complex and expressive wines which highlight Rick Kinzbrunner’s imaginative virtuosity and impactful contribution to the cause of fine Australian wine.
2022 Giaconda Estate Vineyard Chardonnay, Beechworth - Victoria,
Pale lemon colour. Fragrant camomile, grapefruit, pure lemon, marzipan hint waxy aromas with superb flinty, quartz notes. Richly concentrated minerally and pure-fruited with ample grapefruit, lemon pastille, hint lime flavours, fine slinky, light chalky textures, lovely mid palate viscosity and underlying, perfectly balanced marzipan, vanilla oak. Finishes bitter-sweet and crunchy with grapefruit glacé, hint quinine, aniseed notes. A palimpsest of flavours and structures with remarkable energy, volume and flow. A brilliant follow up to the gorgeous 2021 vintage and difficult to separate apart. An exquisite Giaconda Estate Vineyard Chardonnay. Australian Grand Cru to its core (again!). Drink now – 2032 13.5% alc 99+ Points
2022 Giaconda Estate Vineyard Rousanne, Beechworth - Victoria
Medium pale colour. Lovely waxy, honey, lemon glacé, aromas with hints of lime marmalade, roasted almonds and Turkish Delight. Creamy textured and sinuous with attractive pure lemon/ lime pastille, hint apricot, golden fruits, lovely waxy/ honeyed richness, well-balanced marzipan, vanilla, spice notes and long minerally fresh acidity. Bitter lemon/ tonic water notes at the finish with a hint of star anise. Luxurious and exotic with wonderful presence, density and length. Drinking beautifully now. Drink now – 2028 13.8% alc 96 Points
2021 Giaconda Nebbiolo, Beechworth - Victoria
Medium deep crimson. Roasted coffee, dried roses, black cherry, strawberry aromas with leafy, chinotto notes. Medium bodied yet vigorous palate with attractive red cherry, strawberry, chinotto flavours, hint truffle notes, fine looseknit chalky/ al-dente tannins and some tobacco, roasted walnut notes. Builds up leafy firm and tight with juicy bitter, sweet freshness. Delicious wine with bangs of flavour and drive. Should develop and expand with a touch of bottle age. Drink 2025 – 2034 14.5% alc 94+ Points
2022 Giaconda Shiraz, Beechworth – Victoria
Medium deep crimson. Lifted blackberry, black cherry pastille, ginger spice marzipan aromas with hints of cloves and black pepper. Inky deep with blackberry, black cherry fruits, fine chalky/ hint chocolaty tannins, lovely mid-palate concentration and well-balanced mocha, marzipan vanilla notes. Finishes brambly and peppery. Juicy, generous and vigorous with a lovely spectrum of flavours. Will settle and develop more layered complexity and suppleness with bottle age. Drink 2025 – 2036 13.8% alc 95+ points