2022 Giaconda Chardonnay
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Tasting notes
P58 (predominately) and Mendoza. A combination of new and old plantings up to 40 years old, on decomposed granite, gravel and clay. Hand-picked from early to mid March. Crushed and basket-pressed. Settled overnight and gravity-racked to French oak barriques (30% new, 228 litres) for fermentation. Aged deep underground in the winery’s granite cave for its first year. The cave remains at a consistent temperature, of around 16.5 °C. Full malolactic conversion. Cold settling in tank for a further six months over winter, before being bottled by gravity onsite at our winery in spring (without pumping, fining or filtration). Unfined and unfiltered. TA 6.3 g/l, pH 3.19. Managed organically. A touch of smoky reduction but not excessive; more marked on the palate than on the nose. It is carried by the ripe, fresh citrus foundation, though there is a slight sweet-sour impression on the finish. Powerful and a bit stylised but better balanced than the 2017. (JH)
Critic scores
Average Score
Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate
Angus Hughson, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The nose is mineral- and saline-driven, with expressive stone fruit aromas supported by notes of flint, grapefruit pith, shortbread cookies and graphite. The palate is giving and expressive, with high-tension acidity, a generous mouthfeel and a long-lasting finish. Exceptionally well balanced, with a high level of sophistication. Excellent. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
The compact and intense Giaconda 2022 Chardonnay Estate Vineyard jumps out of the glass incredibly intense, focused and energetic. It envelops the senses with aramas of nectarine and musky peach skin, and a decadent yet balanced influence of French oak with a strong edge of flint. A fabulous, almost chewy texture combines with a bolt of mouth-watering acidity sitting underneath, before tightening up to an exceptionally lengthy binish. This is a step up on the fabulous 2021
Twist of matchstick and gunsmoke on the opening, this is steely, mineral and powerful, still coming round to its drinking window. As such, it will benefit from a carafe to highlight the stone fruit, citrus and sage character, along with the deliciously gentle crush of grated ginger on the finish. Unfiltered and unfined, 30% new oak. 2022 was a slightly cooler and rainier season than average, and the palate has a slice less grip than the 2021, with a focus on juice and savoury fruit. A beautiful wine from this distinctive granite and clay soils.