I had a chance to very briefly sample a few of the mid-year new release Giaconda wines earlier this evening. Giaconda from Beechworth in Victoria, is famous for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir which are released along with the Cabernet and Shiraz towards the end of the year, but they sell two interesting white wines in the middle of year as well as a new release of the second tier “McClay Road...

Fast Facts: Variety: Shiraz, Malbec Region: Geelong Country: Australia Winemaker: Nicholas Clark & Janet Cockbill Closure: Screwcap Alcohol: 12.8% Cost: $20AUD Source: Winery Sample Winery Website: Amietta Vineyard and Winery This is a blend of 80% Shiraz and 20% Malbec. I sampled this wine from Riedel ‘O’ Series Pinot/Nebbiolo (414/7) ...

We do get out and about occasionally. Otway Estate has nice cottages that you can hire which we investigated on a day out. I was particularly taken with the Chardonnay so got this to have with friends (of the non winemaker variety) and masked bags of wine. The colour has ...

Fast Facts: Variety: Riesling Region: Geelong Country: Australia Winemaker: Nicholas Clark & Janet Cockbill Closure: Screwcap Alcohol: 12.5% Cost: $20AUD Source: Winery Sample Winery Website: Amietta Vineyard and Winery I tried this wine late last year at the National Riesling Challenge in Canberra and it was one of the favourite ...

Fast Facts: Variety: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc Region: Geelong Country: Australia Winemaker: Nicholas Clark & Janet Cockbill Closure: Screwcap Alcohol: 13.0% Cost: $30AUD Source: Winery Sample Winery Website: Amietta Vineyard and Winery Angels’ Share is a blend of 60% Shiraz, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc that demonstrates ...

Fast Facts: Variety: Shiraz Region: Geelong Country: Australia Winemaker: Nicholas Clark & Janet Cockbill Closure: Screwcap Alcohol: 13.8% Cost: $35AUD Source: Winery Sample Winery Website: Amietta Vineyard and Winery Of all the wines sent to me, I was probably looking forward to trying this one the most, it received a ...

... it will prove me wrong in time. 89/100 Savaterre Chardonnay 2004 (Beechworth, Victoria ... , Victoria): My opinion was that this wine was corked and not like some other bottles of this that I have...

Giaconda is one of the biggest names in boutique Australian wineries, especially for their Chardonnay. While they were not the first wine producer in Beechworth in Victoria, winemaker Rick Kinzbrunner has certainly put it on the wine lovers map as an area with massive potential. With this in mind, some friends and I set out to try four vintages of each of the four top wines produced...

What a great night and opportunity this was to taste wines from the two leading big name Cabernet producers in Margaret River from some generally good to great vintages. These wines were all from the same cellar and only the Mount Langi ring-in was tasted blind. Lanson Black Label NV ...

I started this event by looking at some varied set of six Pinot Noir with wine writer Peter Bourne and the winemakers from Willow Creek and Ten Minutes by Tractor on the opening Friday night. Willow Creek “Tulum” Pinot Noir 2004 - (Mornington Peninsula, Victoria): Ah, I’ve wandered ... Peninsula, Victoria): A light-mid red colour. A more reclusive nose than the Tulum, but also cleaner...