Winemaker Notes
A wonderful accompaniment to fresh pasta in meat sauce with char-grilled zucchini.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Packed yet backward, with a wall of roasted alder and juniper notes in front of the core of dense blackberry, black currant and fig compote flavors. Loads of singed bay leaf, dark pepper and leather accents course through the finish, with a long echo of bittersweet cocoa. Best from 2017 through 2027. 250 cases made.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Tasting like a top flight Pinot Noir, the 2013 Gigondas Le Poste is the most polished, elegant and silky in the lineup. Coming from a terraced vineyard that lies just behind the estate (three of the terraces are planted to red varieties, one terrace is planted to Cinsault). Like all of the single vineyards here, it’s almost all Grenache, was fermented with 100% whole clusters, and aged twelve months in small Burgundy barrels. Offering up notions of black currants, river rock, underbrush and dried Provencal herbs, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a layered, seamless texture and beautifully polished tannin that emerge on the finish. Still relatively backwards and reserved, it needs 2-3 years of cellaring and will drink well for a decade after that.
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.