Winemaker Notes
Drink with red meats and cheeses.
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2022 Gigondas Tradition Le Grand Montmirail is the classic cuvée from this great estate, and it's based on 70% Grenache and 10% each of Cinsault, Mourvèdre, and Syrah. It has rocking purity in its red and black fruits as well as peppery, floral nuances. Medium-bodied on the palate, with fine tannins, a layered, seamless mouthfeel, and a great finish, it's going to round into form with just a year or two of bottle age and drink nicely through 2027 if well stored.
-
James Suckling
Plenty of fruit to this textural, focused and well-composed Gigondas. Aromas of dark cherries, baked plums, cassis and warm spices follow through to a medium body with fine, firm tannins. Velvety at the center with more intensity towards the edges and into the compact finish. Grenache, syrah, mourvedre and cinsault.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Evoking aromas of spices, pepper, garrigue and dark wild berries, the 2022 Gigondas Tradition Les Grand Montmirail possesses a medium to full-bodied, enrobing and charming palate built around a juicy core of fruit and a delicately peony-inflicted finish. This blend of 70% Grenache Noir, 10% Cinsault, 10% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah was destemmed and matured 60% in tanks and the rest in large barrels. It's a beautiful wine in the making. Rating: 91+
-
Wine Spectator
Exuberant notes of boysenberry and red cherry licorice offer an herbal lift in this juicy, plump version. Hibiscus and lavender accents add a pretty floral edge, with incense smoke on the finish. High-toned and glossy, this is grounded by ample graphite details and fine-grained tannins for an elegant structure. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault. Drink now through 2030. 5,000 cases made, 350 cases imported.
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.