Domaine Giraud Les Grenaches de Sixte Vieilles Vignes 2011
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Robert
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
If you haven’t followed my recent reviews of Chateauneuf du Pape, Domaine Giraud is one of the up-and-coming superstars of the appellation. Run by a dynamic young couple, this is a special cuvee made for Eric Solomon that comes from Lirac, where Sixte is one of the appellation’s most famous parcels. Made from 100% Grenache aged in 66% tank and 34% in older wood, the wine possesses a dark plum/ruby/purple color, copious tannins (which I associate more with 2010 than 2011) and body, earthy, sandy, loamy soil undertones, and plenty of kirsch, pepper and lavender. This big wine reveals superb concentration and enough structure to warrant several more months of cellaring. It has the potential to last at least 5-7 years.
In 1998, Pierre was ready to pass on his love of the vine and wine to his children. Marie and François took on the estate hand-in-hand. Under their parents’ watchful eye, they devoted themselves to tending vines and winemaking. They focused their efforts on selecting parcel by parcel, doing minimal treatments, upgrading their cellar to make finer and finer wines while respecting family traditions. François tries hard to tend each parcel and variety respecting the "terroir" as much as possible, that alchemy nature provides us with, to fully express our grapes' full character.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
Typically thought of as a baby Chateâuneuf-du-Pape, the term Côtes du Rhône actually doesn’t merely apply to the flatter outskirts of the major southern Rhône appellations, it also includes the fringes of well-respected northern Rhône appellations. White wines can be produced under the appellation name, but very little is actually made.
The region offers some of the best values in France and even some first-rate and age-worthy reds. Red wine varieties include most of the Chateâuneuf-du-Pape varieties like Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, and Counoise, as well as Carignan. White grapes grown include Grenache blanc, Roussanne and Viognier, among others.