Product Information: Like Lazarus, the Roussanne is back. A new site, planted on the Giaconda amphitheatre block! And it's better than ever before. Think back to our 'Aeolia' wine and then dial up the minerality with sheer depth and intensity of exotic fruits. It combines opulence of flavour with a salivating backbone of acidity and wet stone. This is how Roussanne should taste and will be one for the ages. Cellaring 3-15 years. Maker: Giaconda vineyard was established by Rick Kinzbrunner, a mechanical engineer who became interested in wine in the early 1970's. Rick then spent the next ten years working in the industry, travelling and following his passion for wine. After a brief stint in New Zealand, he studied at Davis University in California and worked at some of the most respected wineries in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys (namely Stag's Leap, Simi and Matanzas Creek). In Europe he worked for the Moueix group in Bordeaux, co-owner of the fabled Chateau Petrus. After returning to Australia in 1980 to take up a position as assistant winemaker at Brown Brothers in Milawa, Rick purchased land in the nearby Beechworth wine region - at the foothills of the beautiful North-East Victorian Alps. Planting commenced in 1982 and the property is now devoted solely to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Shiraz. A separate planting of Nebbiolo has also been established close to the Beechworth township at Red Hill. Total area under vines at the Giaconda Estate Vineyard is now 4 hectares. Annual wine production is approximately 2,500 dozen bottles. Philosophy: Giaconda's estate vineyard is managed sustainability and carefully according to environmental consciousness. Since 2018 they have been fully certified organic by the Bio Dynamic Research Institute (BDRI). The Australian Demeter Bio-Dynamic Method is a world leader in practices of ecological and sustainable farming. At an altitude of 400+ metres (1,312 feet) the site and climate are influenced by the surrounding alpine valleys. The Chardonnay is planted on a relatively cool south-facing slope which is sheltered from the direct impact of the sun's rays. This results in a much slower ripening period, greater flavour complexity and natural acid levels. The Estate lies in a small valley which benefits from a light breeze much of the time; this is very effective in controlling disease. The soil is 450 million year old granitic loam over decomposed gravel and clay. The clay is important in allowing sustained water-release to the vine roots; while the soil, being not too rich, is ideal for wine quality - lower yields are naturally regulated. The vines are drip irrigated in hotter years only when it is necessary to prevent vine stress. The average rainfall is 800 mm annually, a little of which can be received during summer. Nights are generally cool with days being fairly warm, providing ideal conditions for slow ripening. Vintage begins in late February or early March, depending on the season. All grapes are hand-picked in the cool of the early morning before being processing at the winery on site. Cropping levels are approximately 2.5 tonnes per acre. To Giaconda wine making should be subtle and always seek balance - this should never seek to dominate the Terroir or characteristics of any given vintage. Giaconda wines are hand-crafted according to basically a natural wine making process. To us this means indigenous yeasts are employed for fermentation, natural bacteria for Malolactic fermentation, French oak barrel ageing, minimal sulphur additions, and no filtration before bottling. The winery, barrel maturation cave and bottling facility are all set up for gravity flow. This means the wines are very rarely pumped or manipulated mechanically. Instead they are gently moved by gravity or gas pressure during the entire wine making process. In the case of Chardonnay, fruit is hand picked, lightly crushed and then basket pressed - before being transferred to French oak barrels (approximately 30% new) for fermentation and ageing. For the red wines, a combination of whole bunch and de-stemmed crushed fruit is transferred to large concrete tanks for fermentation. These wines remain on skins for an extended period to develop softer, finer tannins and more complexity; before being basket pressed and transferred to French oak barrels (up to 40% new in some cases) for ageing. Wines are aged in French oak for almost two years - deep underground in the granite purpose built maturation cave. This cave offers optimal conditions for fermentation and ageing with a stable temperature of 16 degrees centigrade and naturally high humidity all year round. Nose - Spicy Nose, White Pear, Brine Leading with an incredibly spicy nose, there is white pear and gum leaves, a hint of the "Giaconda campfire" character (big fan of it), cracked fennel seeds and green apple skins, with white pepper and layers of brine. Palate - Waxy, Plump, Layered On the palate, the true nature of Roussanne is revealed; it is waxy and wide, texturally plump and a little chewy, with layered phenolics and lashings of flavour. Finish - Tight, Tension, Complex The acidity is tight and laces the finish into a tight spear of tension and complexity.

Maison Les Alexandrins is a collaboration between two renowned winegrowers from the Rhone Valley - Nicolas Jaboulet and Alexandre Caso. Their wines are crafted in a signature style that is at once contemporary and timeless, and always from exceptional vineyards unearthed by Alexandre Caso, a specialist in the terroirs of the Northern Rhone. Condrieu lies at the northernmost part of the Rhône Valley. Here the parent rock is granite with topsoil varying between decomposing granite and loess. This soil is perfectly suited to the Viognier grape variety and the vines, planted in terraces, are constantly bathed in sunshine. Seductive shiny-gold colour with golden reflections. The nose reveals an aromatic bouquet with an exotic character white peaches, spices and citrus fruit. Perfectly balanced between finesse and power, the mouth is voluptuous, complex, with a beautiful structure and freshness.

Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses thrives on a south-west facing slope, distinguishing itself among Grands Crus. The blend of marl and Kimmeridgian chalk soils imbues deep roots, nurturing vines that flourish in this unique terroir. Delicate floral aromas intertwine with subtle citrus notes, while a distinct mineral backbone speaks of its prestigious origins. With cellar aging, this wine evolves harmoniously, balancing generous complexity with enduring finesse.

Situated adjacent to the Grands Crus, this wine embodies a unique terroir. It boasts a remarkable fullness akin to premier cru Fourchaume, complemented by the finesse and sophistication expected from exceptional terroirs.

'We are tasting the Tyrrell's 2006 Vat 1 semillon, a Hunter Valley wine which, at sevenyears old, is still a juvenile, easily capable of another decade of good drinking. Its longevity is at the very heart of what makes it so astounding. To think of it as a one-year-old is a different story: gangly, acid, water and neutral flavour, not astounding. Vat 1 also shows us you don't have to pay big dollars for greatness.' - Canberra Times, Jeni Port, 10 Apr 2013. Extract from 'What makes a great wine?'

S. A. HUET Le Haut-Lieu Moelleux Premiere Trie, Vouvray

DOMAINE LUCIEN LE MOINE 1er Cru Grandes Ruchottes, Chassagne-Montrachet Lucien Le Moine is a unique négocianthaute couture is often how they are described. Husband and wife, Mounir and Rotem Saouma source small parcels of wine from many producers. Their contribution to the wine is in the elevage, esoteric regime which changes each vintage relying on Mounirs sensory talents forged in a Trappist monastery in Lebanon and honed in their vaulted cellars in the Cote dOr. Working with the best (Jupilles, FRA), fine-grained new oak, the Saoumas produce a staggering number of Grands and 1er Crus cuvees.

Released with bottle age this is a wine which will still continue to evolve over many years the toasty lemony flavours becoming richer and more intense. A classic benchmark Hunter Semillon, it has earned its place in the Langtons Classification of Australian Wine.