Winemaker Notes
The hint of prunes and smoke combined with rustic, chalky tannins highlights the pastoral character of the Pallières ambiance, while violets and dark berries dominate the palate with a subtle wild edge beneath the surface.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A scented, lively, layered and crunchy Gigondas red, showcasing aromas of cherries, forest berries, orange peel, dried flowers and baking spices. It’s full-bodied and so silky yet has an intense, vivid character with a dense core of fruit lifted by spices and herbs. Pristine, the tension bringing vitality to the vibrant center palate. Fine tannins. More flowers and wild herbs in the pronounced, peppery and lingering finish.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A blend of 90% Grenache Noir and 10% Mourvèdre, the 2022 Gigondas Terrasse du Diable from the Brunier Family (which also owns Domaine Vieux Télégraphe) reveals aromas of dark cherries, mulberries and spices mingled with delicate notes of garrigue. Medium to full-bodied, ample and enrobing, it's velvety on attack with good depth at the core and a long, precise and delicate finish.
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Wine Spectator
A high-toned version, with red fruit and lavender revealing plenty of simmering graphite power underneath, along with streaks of wild herbs, baker’s chocolate and incense smoke. Singed alder marks the finish, offering a blast of menthol freshness and warm stone. Elegant, with nicely sculpted tannins holding a solid grip. Grenache, Mourvèdre and Clairette. Best from 2027 through 2037.
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Vinous
Bottled in May 2024, the seductive 2022 Terrasse du Diable marries 90% Grenache with 10% Mourvèdre that aged for two years in old oak.
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.
The Southern Rhône region of Gigondas extends northwest from the notably jagged wall of mountains called the Dentelles di Montmirail, whose highest point climbs to about 2,600 feet. The region and its wines have much in common with the neighboring Chateauneuf-du-Pape except that the vineyards of Gigondas exist at higher elevation and its soils, comprised mainly of crumbled limestone from the Dentelles, often produce a more dense and robust Grenache-based red wine.
The region has a history of fine winemaking, extending back to Roman times. But by the 20th century, Gigondas was merely lumped into the less distinct zone of Côtes du Rhône Villages. However, it was first among these satellite villages to earn its own appellation, which occurred in 1971.
Gigondas reds must be between 50 to 100% Grenache with Syrah and Mourvèdre comprising the bulk of the remainder of the blend. They tend express rustic flavors and aromas of wild blackberry, raspberry, fig, plum, as well as juniper, dried herbs, anise, smoke and river rock. The best are bold but balanced, and finish with impressively sexy and velvety tannins.
The Gigondas appellation also produces rosé but no white wines.