-
98
/ 100
The Wine Advocate -
97
/ 100
Gary Walsh
White
Classification
Chardonnay
Variety
2022
Vintage
750ml (Bottle)
Bottle Size
Australia
Country
Victoria, North East
Region
13.5%
Alcohol %
15 Plus Years
Cellaring
Scores
98 / 100"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."
- The Wine Advocate
97 / 100
"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
Tasting Notes
Characters of matchstick are evident and in keeping with recent vintages 2017-2021. An intensely aromatic wine backed by powerful fruit. Complex characters of subterranean smoky peat emerge, with an explosion of white peach and nectarine on the finish. Penetratingly long, yet fine, with all the hallmarks of Giaconda chardonnay that you have come to expect. Winery Tasting Note: Golden lime green colour. The bouquet is intensely focused, showcasing jasmine flowers, white nectarines, grapefruit, galangal, and subtle toasty oak. As it unfolds, flint and matchstick notes add another layer to this incredible aromatic display. The palate is powered by multi-layered white fruits, complemented by spice notes that enhance the tingling minerality on the finish. The attack is razor-sharp and precise, with a clean and steely persistence that is satisfyingly long. The depth and roundness of the palate are remarkable, while the finish is tense, savoury, and immensely gratifying.
Tasting Profile
- Light
- Full
- Low Tannin
- Tannic
- Sweet
- Dry
- Low Acidity
- High Acidity