Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A new luxury cuvée, the 2019 Gigondas Le Regard Loin was blended after a year from the best barrels of the various single-parcels—Les Routes, Roches, Le Plateau, La Colline, and Le Lieu Dit. The proportions will vary from year to year and won't be disclosed, according to proprietor Julien Brechet, who says the wine will age at least another year in sandstone jars prior to bottling. It's truly a blend that is greater than the sum of its parts, delivering a lovely amalgam of mixed berries, garrigue, Campari-like spice and orange zest. Full-bodied, silky, elegant and incredibly long, it's easily one of the best Gigondas I've tasted to date. Range: 97-99
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Jeb Dunnuck
A new wine from this estate that's made from a blend of their single vineyards (Lieu Dit, Colline, Plateau, Routes, Roche), the 2019 Gigondas Le Regard Loin reveals a dense purple hue as well as a gorgeous perfume of black raspberries, blueberries, springs flowers, licorice, and herbes de Provence. Rich, full-bodied, and concentrated, it nevertheless stays weightless and elegant, with ripe yet present tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. This is a brilliant Gigondas in the making. It should be reasonably approachable on release yet evolve for 15-20 years. Range: 96-98
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.