Winemaker Notes
Ideal with robust dishes such as Beef Stroganoff, hearty stews, or sharp cheeses
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Grippy, offering a core of macerated currant, blackberry and raspberry flavors in reserve, with mouthwatering notes of bay leaf, roasted alder, tar and ganache. This should be a winner when the elements pull together. Best from 2017 through 2027.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Another wine that doesn’t lack for structure, the 2013 Gigondas Le Claux (99% Grenache and 1% Syrah) offers lots of camphor, graphite, ground pepper and limestone-like minerality to go with a medium to full-bodied, very fresh, focused and elegant style on the palate. As with the Hominis Fides, it shows more tannic grip with time in the glass, and will benefit from short term cellaring.
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.