Giaconda 2023

[VinoEd]

Did anyone purchase anything?

I managed to get a couple of the Chardonnay. Had a look around 9 and everything aside from the Shiraz had sold out. Crazy.

Cheers Ed

[marmi01]

You must have been quick! I'm hearing the Chardy sold out within minutes of the emails going out.

I tried to buy but their website was getting hammered and I couldn't checkout.

MIck

[JamieAdelaide]

Planned an “attempted buy” but completely forgot about it.

[Teisto]

Had 2 devices going at 8am. Filled in the form at 8.04 when I could get to it. Submitted for payment 8.05 and came back to tell me Chardonnay and Pinot sold out.

[Teisto]

I forgot to add has anyone tried the Savaterre and what that is like for a comparison to Giaconda?

[I Love Shiraz]

Absolutely crazy. I didn't bother, as much I would love to have Giaconda Chardonnay in my collection.

[felixp21]

I forgot to add has anyone tried the Savaterre and what that is like for a comparison to Giaconda?

Savaterre is very good, but not in the same league as Giaconda.
Sorrenberg, OTOH, is fabulous and a genuine alternative (if not as reductive). However, that too is extremely difficult to purchase outside of the mailing list.
Giaconda chasing the $$, so mailing list is becoming an ever decreasing percentage of their sales, as exports ramp up. In true RK style, loyalty means nothing.
At the current asking price, there are a myriad of better white Burgundy alternatives IMO. Haven't purchased Giaconda since 2012 vintage, but I know there are more than a couple of dozen lying in my cellar somewhere. Doesn't matter much, with screwcap they aren't declining any time soon.

[Jimmya]

I forgot to add has anyone tried the Savaterre and what that is like for a comparison to Giaconda?

Savaterre is very good, but not in the same league as Giaconda.
Sorrenberg, OTOH, is fabulous and a genuine alternative (if not as reductive). However, that too is extremely difficult to purchase outside of the mailing list.
Giaconda chasing the $$, so mailing list is becoming an ever decreasing percentage of their sales, as exports ramp up. In true RK style, loyalty means nothing.
At the current asking price, there are a myriad of better white Burgundy alternatives IMO. Haven't purchased Giaconda since 2012 vintage, but I know there are more than a couple of dozen lying in my cellar somewhere. Doesn't matter much, with screwcap they aren't declining any time soon.

Happy to hear about these good value white burgs at $160 or less

[SipAndANibble]

I didn’t know it was yesterday, but randomly saw the email at 8:10 and was t actually chasing any, but knowing it’s reputation I thought I’d try to get a few bottles, and nope! All sold out! The checkout was slow and manual also which didn’t help. But yeah it apparently sold out super fast !

I forgot to add has anyone tried the Savaterre and what that is like for a comparison to Giaconda?

Savaterre is very good, but not in the same league as Giaconda.
Sorrenberg, OTOH, is fabulous and a genuine alternative (if not as reductive). However, that too is extremely difficult to purchase outside of the mailing list.
Giaconda chasing the $$, so mailing list is becoming an ever decreasing percentage of their sales, as exports ramp up. In true RK style, loyalty means nothing.
At the current asking price, there are a myriad of better white Burgundy alternatives IMO. Haven't purchased Giaconda since 2012 vintage, but I know there are more than a couple of dozen lying in my cellar somewhere. Doesn't matter much, with screwcap they aren't declining any time soon.

Also sorrenberg is really not hard to purchase. you can literally just sign up on their website or email them to be added to the list. I’ve never had issues ordering gamay/Chardonnay/sav Blanc semillion

[JamieAdelaide]

Felix I’ve been politely hounded on wine social media sites that Rick is one of the good guys. Keeps pricing fair so his loyal list still has access.

If you can pay a $1000 for a six pack of Chardonnay, I reckon you can pay $500 a bottle too, in a few vintages when this is what the wine will be!

Yep. Just my prediction. Seen similar before in 93 with HofG.

[felixp21]

if you are prepared to get off your bum and look around, there are plenty of independent Burgundy importers now. Even in the last five years, they are springing up everywhere.
Small businesses that import and pass on at a VERY real price. I can quite easily get Meursault premier Cru in Australia for $130 or less.
But, more importantly, you have seen how the mailing list at Giaconda sells out in seconds, the retail prices are double that, which is a far more reliable indicator of price. He's just doing what the Bordelaise have been doing for many decades, small drip feeds ("first tranche" lols) to create the hype.
I had a 2017 Buisson-Charles Meursault Charmes de Dessus a week ago that was absolutely sublime, and better than any Giaconda I've seen (and I'm pretty sure I've seen every vintage at least until 2021). That wine cost me $110 at release. Indeed, I can think of plenty of sub-$100 wines from Burgundy that I'd rather drink, again, mainly from Meursault.

If you keep buying stuff that has been imported by Gary Steele and the like, yep, you will have the opinion that Burgundy prices are ridiculous.

[Jimmya]

The cheapest price for the Buisson-charles in oz is $350...

[VinoEd]

if you are prepared to get off your bum and look around, there are plenty of independent Burgundy importers now. Even in the last five years, they are springing up everywhere.
Small businesses that import and pass on at a VERY real price. I can quite easily get Meursault premier Cru in Australia for $130 or less.
But, more importantly, you have seen how the mailing list at Giaconda sells out in seconds, the retail prices are double that, which is a far more reliable indicator of price. He's just doing what the Bordelaise have been doing for many decades, small drip feeds ("first tranche" lols) to create the hype.
I had a 2017 Buisson-Charles Meursault Charmes de Dessus a week ago that was absolutely sublime, and better than any Giaconda I've seen (and I'm pretty sure I've seen every vintage at least until 2021). That wine cost me $110 at release. Indeed, I can think of plenty of sub-$100 wines from Burgundy that I'd rather drink, again, mainly from Meursault.

If you keep buying stuff that has been imported by Gary Steele and the like, yep, you will have the opinion that Burgundy prices are ridiculous.

I don’t know where to look to find these wines but certainly interested if it’s easy enough to do. Cheers Ed

[ticklenow1]

Felix I’ve been politely hounded on wine social media sites that Rick is one of the good guys. Keeps pricing fair so his loyal list still has access.

If you can pay a $1000 for a six pack of Chardonnay, I reckon you can pay $500 a bottle too, in a few vintages when this is what the wine will be!

Yep. Just my prediction. Seen similar before in 93 with HofG.

Couldn't disagree more.

Happy to buy 2 or 3 at $160 each, but not buying one at $500. Not in a month of Sundays. I guess it depends on your tax bracket...

[felixp21]

The cheapest price for the Buisson-charles in oz is $350...

my point exactly. You are looking at wine-searcher, I assume, and probably at that bloke who purcahsed what was left of Ross Duke's business.
none of the small importers are on wine searcher.
I purchased another Buisson Charles, the 2019 Meursault vignes de 1945, for $90 a bottle, and I'd also happily put it up against any vintage, and I mean ANY vintage, and expect a crushing victory.

[felixp21]

having said that, Buisson-Charles is becoming another Burgundy "darling" and the prices will become astronomical. Patrick Esser is a great marketer (as well as great wine-maker) so I'm sure the critics and lemmings will jump in within the next 24 months.
then it just becomes annoying for me, as I feel bad about drinking ridiculously expensive wines, even when purchased for a fraction of the cost.

still, the next Bizot, Arnoux, Buisson, Shiogai Kelley (lols) etc etc is just around the corner, the trick is to buy them before they become ridiculous.

FWIW, I agree with Jamie, Giaconda will approach $500 in the next few years, who knows what critic or influencer is "on board" wink wink, with the winery.

[felixp21]

lastly, VinoEd, google.
I am now residing in Australia, and have been most and pleasantly surprised at what Burgundy you can purchase here for prices that are amongst the best in the World.
Many of these small importers have now closed their lists, such is their growing popularity, but Google is always your friend!!

[JamieAdelaide]

as I feel bad about drinking ridiculously expensive wines, even when purchased for a fraction of the cost.

The Curse.

Seeing this with many collectors especially of Burgundy. Although they can afford to drink their cellars, they can’t mentally justify it.

[JamieAdelaide]

Felix I’ve been politely hounded on wine social media sites that Rick is one of the good guys. Keeps pricing fair so his loyal list still has access.

If you can pay a $1000 for a six pack of Chardonnay, I reckon you can pay $500 a bottle too, in a few vintages when this is what the wine will be!

Yep. Just my prediction. Seen similar before in 93 with HofG.

Couldn't disagree more.

Happy to buy 2 or 3 at $160 each, but not buying one at $500. Not in a month of Sundays. I guess it depends on your tax bracket...

My point was more along the lines that if you are paying $1000 for six, you can afford $1000 for two. That you wouldn’t is beside the point .

I just found it obtuse somebody was sort of claiming Rick was protecting his loyal customer base, from a cost of living crisis and keeping his Chardonnay at “affordable” levels.

Codswallop I said! Classic Chardonnay socialism. If you are buying it now when in the top echelons of Chardonnay pricing in Australia, folks could have a few more AFD’s and pay the inevitable $500 a bottle.

I drank a few bottles last year in Hong Kong with some local finance folks. Despite the Napoleonic battlefield aromas of gun flint, they were frustrated at the difficulty obtaining the wine. World-wide demand is coming with the hyperbole. It’s so Hill of Grace-like.

Incidentally, on the FB page for wine lovers, I offered mature Grand Cru Burgundy as a swap for the latest Giconda. No takers!

[phillisc]

What is it lately with the direction of this forum that no wine is any good unless it costs a lot or is insanely expensive

Cheers Craig

[JamieAdelaide]

What is it lately with the direction of this forum that no wine is any good unless it costs a lot or is insanely expensive

Cheers Craig

Nobody has said that!

Many great wines of Australia and the world start off very affordable. They become expensive because they are insanely good.

What many on this forum ( and similar ) have access to is the information and passion of other wine lovers. You get an insight into the emergence of great wine.

I was often contacted by people from here when travelling to Hong Kong. I gave a few tip offs of ITA wine that was about $60 Aussie that I felt excellent. It’s now $500-$1000. Felix has given endless tips on once affordable Burhundy now out of reach.

We can chat about our cellarone purchases?

[Jimmya]

Incidentally, on the FB page for wine lovers, I offered mature Grand Cru Burgundy as a swap for the latest Giconda. No takers!
[/quote]

Interested in your terms Jamie...

[SipAndANibble]

Just throwing it out there Felix and Jamie I’m keen to absorb your wisdom on good value buys.

I think wynns black label fits this bucket currently but yeah happy to be guided into good value wine options …!

Might be deserving of its own thread

[JamieAdelaide]

Interested in your terms Jamie...

Bottle for bottle exchange.

Somebody contacted me and I may have misunderstood their offer, but it seemed they were after multiples of GC Burgundy or “elite” Barolo as they called it, per Giaconda.


Hmmmmm….

[WineRick]

I have it on good authority that the Chardonnay sold out in 3 &1/2 minutes!

[Jimmya]

Interested in your terms Jamie...

Bottle for bottle exchange.

Somebody contacted me and I may have misunderstood their offer, but it seemed they were after multiples of GC Burgundy or “elite” Barolo as they called it, per Giaconda.


Hmmmmm….

Sent you a PM

[felixp21]

What is it lately with the direction of this forum that no wine is any good unless it costs a lot or is insanely expensive

Cheers Craig

actually, Craig, for me its the (almost) exact opposite. Whilst most insanely expensive wines are incredibly good, the wines I chase are those that are at or just below that level for about 1/10th the price, and there is a sea of those.
last night, had a "quaffer" watching the Pies dismantle Brisbane. 2017 Odoul-Coquard Nuits St Georges Les Argillats, a humble NSG Villages from a supposedly modest producer. Cost me in Australia $60 on release. Fabulous Burgundy, drinking at peak from a vastly under-rated vintage, and for my palate, better than any Aussie pinot I've had. Also better than Rousseau's Village Gevrey offering, which is about 5 times the price. Now I wish I'd purchased two cases instead of one, only a couple of bottles left, drank the majority far too young
(that's the other thing, drink Burgundy, red or white, either at release or at maturity, not in between.)