Winemaker Notes
Ideal with robust dishes such as Beef Stroganoff, hearty stews, or sharp cheeses.
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
More approachable than the blockbuster Le Poste, the 2016 Gigondas le Claux looks to be another Gigondas legend in the making. Apricot and cherry fruit lead the way, backed by masses of creamy, lush tannins and savory notes of dark chocolate and black olive on the long finish.
Range: 95-97 -
Wine Spectator
Dark and dense, with a baker's chocolate frame around an immense core of crushed plum, warm fig and boysenberry reduction flavors, while the back end brims with roasted apple wood, warm tar and licorice root notes. Will take some time to fully meld. Best from 2020 through 2040. 475 cases made.
-
James Suckling
Showing some little fudge to the strawberry and blackberry fruit. Very soft, juicy, mouth filling fruit, but also good sense of freshness. Tannins are chewy and muscular, the alcohol a little raised. A powerful wine that takes time to unfurl on the palate into the very long finish. Regal and opulent.
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.