Winemaker Notes
Dark and deep ruby color with an intense nose of jammed fruits, black olives, and dark spices. Silky, elegant mouth, cheerful Gigondas.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2024 Gigondas Les Espaliers presents a finely delineated nose of fresh blackberry, alpine strawberry, red plum and dried Mediterranean herbs to form a complex, savory register. It's full-bodied, underpinned by a ripe tannic core and sports immaculate overall balance. The 2024 is yet another delicious Gigondas Les Espaliers from Crous St. Martin, delivering finesse and length through the spice-inflected finish.
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Jeb Dunnuck
A classic, old-school effort, the 2024 Gigondas Les Espaliers is based on 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, and 10% Syrah from clay soils on southern hillsides and was aged 12 months in concrete tanks. Darker berries, smoked garrigue, and pepper define the nose, and it's medium-bodied, nicely concentrated, and mouthfilling on the palate, with firmer tannins and outstanding length. It should have a solid decade of longevity. Drink 2026-2036.
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.