Winemaker Notes
#88 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2008
67% Grenache; 20% Syrah; 12% Mourvèdre; 1% Cinsault; 70% aged in old barrels for one to four years with remaining 15% aged in wooden vats and 15% in concrete vats.
Everyone tried to compare 2006 with other classical vintages but 2006 gave its own answer: it is a special vintage with a strong and precise personality. Co-fermenting our different grapes has been more interesting than ever: grenache-minerality, mourvèdre-muscles, cinsault-blandness, syrah-crispness. Ageing the 06's has been particularly interesting because the wines never stopped improving. From this point of view, 05 was much more difficult to cope with. Tender like a true Saint Cosme and structured like a real Gigondas, 2006 will show a great ageing potential because of its balance. Bottled without any filtration, the wine shows notes of strawberry compote, truffle, and tobacco box
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2006 Gigondas, which one would call Tradition or Classique, looks to eclipse the 2005. Dense black cherry fruit and cassis, a deep ruby/purple color, floral black cherry and blackberry fruit notes, with plenty of tannin, good acidity, and freshness characterize this wine, which is structured and potentially long-lived. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020+.
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Wine Spectator
Packed with raspberry grenache, bittersweet cocoa, loam and briar notes, all pushed by a dark, muscular finish. Tangy minerality is buried deep on the finish, so cellar for maximum effect. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Best from 2010 through 2015.
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.