When Rick Kinzbrunner, a former mechanical engineer who gravitated towards a keen interest in wine in the early 1970's, first opened Giaconda's doors and set to work planting the inaugural vines in '82, he was well-equipped with the knowledge gained from working in the industry for a decade; stints in New Zealand, Bordeaux, as well as Napa and Sonoma Valleys cemented his love for the craft and his true oenophile disposition. And since the early days of Giaconda, honing his talents out in Victoria's beautiful Beechworth, his wines have gone on to become a staple of the region (picking up the Australian Winemaker of the Year award from Gourmet Traveller along the way in 2003), with the limited yearly quantities fiercely sought after by many eager Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Shiraz fans.
Indeed, the estate is solely dedicated to those three noble grapes; Beechworth's warm days and cool nights working wonderfully in tandem, imbuing these wines with the layers of complexity they're so renowned for! This week, we've got our hands on some limited bottles of their 'Les Deux' trio - a release seen earlier on the year that can be considered 'junior expressions' of their three mainline wines, granting a peek into the style and story behind their latest vintage at more entry-level price points.
The fruit power one finds in each 'Les Deux' is rich and full-bodied, but married with classic Victorian elegance that are great to savour now, or pop away in the cellar for several years and watch them develop! Once these are sold, they won't return until their next vintage, so we'd certainly recommend to grab hold while you can (down on special until next week!) ?
---
Nantua 'Les Deux' Chardonnay 2022 - $89 on special; $98 RRP
*Limited availability
"A bountiful offering of yellow peach, meal, hazelnut underpinned by citrus notes and a soupçon of funky characters sitting quietly over the top. Much the same occurs on the palate. Ripe stone fruits supported by delicious spicy oak notes that effortlessly underpin gobs of fruit. A joyous expression of flesh on the bones chardonnay, accompanied by a suite of well integrated acid and phenolics, that keeps this wine in fine shape." - Winemaker Notes "Light-medium yellow, bright colour, with intense lemon-peel, lemon juice and lime-pith, smoky charcuterie and toasted hazelnut aromas, the flavour super-intense and mouth-filling, rich and long with refinement and enormous persistence. Drink now through to 2037." - 97 Points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review
///
Nantua 'Les Deux' Pinot Noir 2022 - $58 on special; $65 RRP
*Limited availability
"An earthy, red fruit laden pinot noir that looks more Burgundian than Australian, given its savoury edge and tannin structure. The cooler year has delivered more in a red-fruited spectrum, pretty and dainty but nonetheless with a traditional spine of tannin. This wine will reach maturity earlier and we expect it will develop forest floor characters (the tell-tale signs are there) adding another dimension. A most enjoyable savoury wine, where all facets; fruit, tannin, acid and oak are all pulling in unison. This wine has a satisfying sense of harmony and controlled richness. This wine encapsulates the typical characters of earthiness and vibrant perfume from a cooler vintage. The result is a more delicate wine when contrasted to our usual Estate Vineyard release." - Winemaker Notes
///
Nantua 'Les Deux' Shiraz 2021 - $49 on special; $55 RRP
*Limited availability
"A rather appealing bouquet of baked beets, briary notes and roasted meat pan juices coupled with red to black cherries. It's sumptuous and rounded on the palate with a rolling combination of red fruits, spicy oak infusions underpinned by a tremendous layer of fine, savoury tannins. It certainly needs decanting to help open-up the bouquet, whilst also allowing the fruit to build up and work with the structural elements of the wine. Hours later, a darker brooding fruit element develops, accompanied by the subtle rise of a “sous bois” note. An absolute beauty that will be at its best in a few years." - Winemaker Notes
If you wish to purchase any of these wines, please use the links above ? alternatively, email us at sales@thewineemporium.com.au, or contact us on (07)32521117 if you have any queries // Prices valid until Thursday the 1st of February