Winemaker Notes
We didn't release Valbelle in 2008 because the wine had been blended into the Gigondas Classique. This is nice to see Valbelle coming back in 2009 with its very specific style. It generates complexity, depth and balance. 2009 Valbelle combines well the tannic power of the vintage with the roundness and the softness always found in Valbelle. Find notes of strawberry, thyme, white pepper and graphite.
Blend: 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2009 Gigondas Valbelle exhibits perfumed floral notes intermixed with hints of underbrush, crushed rocks, roasted herbs, blueberries and blackberries. Medium to full-bodied with moderate tannins, it will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring and keep for 10-15 years thereafter.
Range: 91-94 -
Wine Spectator
A gorgeous wine, with an interplay of ripe, dripping blackberry, cassis and plum sauce flavors providing the flesh, offset by smoldering charcoal, tobacco and bittersweet cocoa notes, which provide the angles. The long finish has nice intensity. Best from 2012 through 2022. 1,175 cases made.
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.