Winemaker Notes
#2 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2012
Finally, 2010 is a kind of 2007 with more freshness. This freshness is THE fact of the vintage: it is everywhere, it gives the structure and the relief which generates the finesse. This is the guarantee of a good evolution as well. What I like in a good Gigondas is the body of the grenache combinated with the coolness of our terroir. This wine reminds me of the wines of my father: classical, straightforward, solid and simply so good. Notes of campher, cherry, gingerbread, crushed strawberry, blackberry, pepper.
Blend: 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 18% Mourvedre, 2% Cinsault
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
This is jam-packed with dark blackberry, currant and boysenberry fruit, but cuts like a knife, thanks to riveting acidity, a blaze of singed iron and a long, charcoal-studded finish. A lovely lingering note of singed bay leaf adds a mouthwatering echo. Best from 2015 through 2030.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2010 Gigondas (60% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah) is a beautifully rich effort revealing a dense purple color as well as lots of blueberry, black raspberry and black currant fruit intermixed with hints of lead pencil shavings, truffles and spring flowers. Full-bodied, opulent and sumptuous, this 2010 should drink well for a decade or more.
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.