2023 Giaconda Estate Vineyard Roussanne

Giaconda once had a wine some years ago that went by the name of Aeolia.

It was a Roussanne made in a similar style to the great Giaconda Chardonnay. Big, bold, flashy and it had a cult following.

Rick Kinzbrunner put the cuveé bed for a number of years, however now Roussanne has returned to the Giaconda stable, albeit in a bit of a different style.

This is a raw, textural example of the variety that shows classic Giaconda power but with an edge of wildness to the fruit. Immediately an Australian benchmark for the variety.

Made in small amounts only.

95 points
"The 2023 Estate Vineyard Roussanne leads with white and yellow flowers, lanolin, churned butter and soft pear jalousie. In the mouth, the chalky phenolic shape pulls the fruit on course, and this is assisted by the splay of saline acidity through the middle palate and finish. While this has a tropical aroma about it, the palate tells a different story. A beautiful follow-on from last year's iteration, this is a little tighter and a little more focused. 13.8% alcohol, sealed under screw cap."
- Erin Larkin (The Wine Advocate)

95 points
"Complex and engaging, and specifically, I like the core of flint and bright acidity it offers, to counterbalance the richness and spice on offer here. I’m thinking green pear and apple, honey and floral perfume, a flicker of aniseed, ginger and fresh cut yellow nectarine, a subtle stuck match adds further interest. It’s juicy and flavoursome, but so well-balanced, a honeyed richness cut back by citrus acidity, and the finish is long, quite nutty and saline, with a tangerine tang to close. A righteous expression of Roussanne. Such energy and poise. Terrific. As an aside, if you can’t get your hands on the Chardonnay, this certainly gives you a flavour of the estate."
- Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)