Winemaker Notes
The monumental 2016 vintage marked the inaugural bottling of Le Plateau, sourced from a large vineyard site planted with a diverse range of varieties. This cuvée combines Julien’s oldest-vine Mourvèdre with smaller percentages of Syrah, Cinsault, Grenache, Counoise, and Clairette. This northwest-facing and slopped site is between 225 and 250 meters in elevation. Entirely encircled by woods and exposed to nearly constant winds results in low yields, a late harvest date, and concentrated fruit. It is an indigenous co-fermentation in a small concrete tank with 100% whole clusters.
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
A perfumed style of Mourvèdre, with fresh blueberries and fresh soil. The smooth, voluminous, generous palate has some serious presence and intent. Gently ebbs away to a very dry (but not drying) finish. A balanced, harmonious, symmetrical wine. Le Plateau is a single-vineyard selection of old-vine Mourvèdre planted at high altitude in 1922, on blue marls and limestones exposed to the north. Aged for 18 months in demi-muids.
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Jeb Dunnuck
All Mourvèdre, the 2021 Gigondas Le Plateau is tight and tannic, and is mostly potential at this point. Lots of darker berries, rare meat, pepper, and sappy garrigue and herbal notes define the aromatics, and it's medium-bodied, has good mid-palate depth, and tons of building tannins. Don't even think about opening bottles for another 4-5 years.
Rating: 91+ -
Wine Spectator
A brooding, muscular version, offering a fresh blackberry note and a salty layer of freshly crushed wild herbs and brine. Displays an earthy, sanguine character, with notes of leather and cigar box, plus rustic tannins that bring a tightly coiled feel. Shows good density and length. Mourvèdre, Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Clairette. Best from 2025 through 2040.
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.