2014 Giaconda Chardonnay Victoria

The benchmark for chardonnay in the Beechworth region and it is well and truly asserting its authority in this 2014 vintage. Gently flinty, it has a core of grapefruit and white peach fruit aromas with an attractive thread of spicy oak. The palate\'s flavoursome and concentrated with punchy crisp fruit flavours in the grapefruit and peach spectrum, crunchy phenolics are balanced by smooth glycerol to create an engaging textural interplay and the length and evenness is something to marvel at. Brilliant wine. Drink now through to 2022.

Hand-picked, lightly crushed and basket-pressed to French oak (30% new) for fermentation and ageing, up to 2 years in barrel (the barrels are stored deep underground in a granite maturation cave). Has all the opulent complexity this wine is famous for, yet has a fine stainless steel backbone that will ensure its development over 10 years. The flavours run through grapefruit juice and zest, grilled almond, nutty oak and minerally acidity.

The 2014 Chardonnay delivers a more forward nose than the 2013, offering pretty honeysuckle and lime blossom notes with core of lemon curd, white peach, cedar and buttered popcorn. Medium-bodied, it is elegant with nice freshness, a silky texture and minerally character. With not quite the depth of the 2013, it is still a beautiful Chardonnay.