Winemaker Notes
The Gigondas wines of Domaine de Longue Toque spread out on 18ha, from the ancient alluvial terraces of the Ouvèze river to the limestone screes of the Dentelles de Montmirail. This diversity of soils gives birth to a voluptuous and elegant wine
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Wafting of violet and lilac perfume, this is a lustrous blend of 65% Grenache and 35% Syrah. Cassis and preserved black-plum flavors are brisk but intensely concentrated, leading to a long, grippy finish. Lovely now, the wine should improve through 2030 and hold further. Editors' Choice.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2017 Gigondas from the team at Meffre is smoking good and well worth seeking out. Notes of black raspberries, strawberries, cassis, crushed flowers, and ground pepper all emerge from the glass, and it’s medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced, and seamless on the palate. A blend of 65% Grenache and 35% Syrah brought up in larger French oak barrels, it’s well worth seeking out and will shine for a decade.
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.