Nature is a fickle beast
Farming and grape growing is fraught with challenges that can bring highs and lows due to the vagaries of our weather. Nature is a fickle beast and can turn quickly to deliver hope or despair.
The despair came last year when we decided not to proceed with the 2020 vintage due to the probability of smoke taint from bushfires that ravaged our countryside. This is the first time I have missed a vintage since the establishment of Giaconda. As a consequence this is an important release from the 2019 vintage. It will be a balancing act as a small portion of these wines will need to be kept back for re-release next year, in addition to a limited quantity of older bottles and magnums from our temperature controlled museum cellar.
However let's not dwell on negatives. We are incredibly excited to present the 2019 releases; a beautiful vintage that has delivered wines of depth and quality. As usual I expect the wines to sell out quickly so don't delay your orders. You can view details of these wines in the tasting notes below and I would hasten to add that this current release is a very strong set of wines – a powerful and mineral chardonnay and complex reds that will benefit from ageing. If trying the red wines early please decant and allow plenty of air to unravel their hidden charms. This is especially true of the pinot noir.
I must mention a special note on the 2017 Nebbiolo, which I believe breaks new ground for us and indeed Australian nebbiolo in general. This wine displays extreme power, depth and finesse. There is no doubt that this is the finest release from our relatively new vineyard site at Red Hill in Beechworth. After 10 years these vines are certainly beginning to hit their straps. I've tasted this wine beside several notable Barolos and it always holds its own at half the price!
I have had a few inspirational ideas on how to progress the wines, more on this next year except I can reveal one piece of news - Roussanne.
Over the years I have had many of you comment on how they wish we still made our "Aeolia" barrel fermented, full and complex Roussanne. This is going to become a reality with 7 barrels now fermenting in the cave to be released next year - more news on this in April 2022. Meanwhile the Amphora skin-contact version is also continuing.
View release details and tasting notes >
Sincerely,
Rick Kinzbrunner
