Winemaker Notes
An ink-like robe in appearance. A floral nose, black olive and rosewood. On the palate, a very monolithic profile, almost timeless. The fruit, and then the green touch of complexity, of the ripe stalk. Very large tannins quality, in tight rows, and smooth by long aging.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
All Mourvèdre brought up in old demi-muids, the 2018 Gigondas Le Plateau is a stunning example of this variety that does everything right. Classic Mourvèdre notes of blueberries, mulberries, new leather, lavender, and ground pepper give way to a full-bodied, beautifully balanced, elegant 2018 that has a stacked mid-palate, flawless balance, silky tannins, and a great finish. It shows more tannins and structure with time in the glass, so give this beauty 2-3 years of bottle age, it should have 15-20 years of overall longevity.
Rating: 96+
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Wine Enthusiast
Powerful and piercing, this concentrated, inky red is a focused study of Mourvèdre (augmented by small percentages of Syrah, Cinsault, Grenache, Counoise, and Clairette). Sourced from a high-altitude, north-facing site, it juxtaposes rich cassis and black-cherry flavors against sharp angularity, spice and herbaceousness. Co-fermented in 100% whole clusters, this vibrant wine should drink at peak now through 2030 and hold further. Editors’ Choice.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
One of the few truly remarkable Mourvèdres from the Rhône Valley, the 2018 Gigondas Le Plateau comes from vines planted in 1922 on a north-facing site. Aged in used demi-muids, it's rich and velvety, full-bodied, with notes of raspberry compote, cassia bark, juniper and citrus zest. Spicy, complex and richly textured, it lingers on the finish.
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Wine Spectator
Juicy and youthfully compact, this has a wound-up core of blackberry and dark plum paste flavors that will take a little time to unwind, while tar, anise and roasted alder notes guide this along. Muscular but fresh and focused too, with plenty of pure fruit in reserve.
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.