Winemaker Notes
The Gigondas Reserve (reserve as of the 2018 vintage) comprises most of the production at Domaine des Bosquets. It is about 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 8% Mourvèdre and 2% Cinsault sourced from all the terroirs Julien farms. It is fermented in tank by natural yeasts with 30% whole clusters, then aged 12 months in French oak barrels of various sizes, then an additional 6 months in concrete. 2500 cases are produced in an average year.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Assembled from 14 different plots (each vinified and aged separately for the first year), the 2019 Gigondas boasts lovely aromas of garrigue, spice, orange zest, licorice, black cherries and raspberries. This vintage is about 60% Grenache (aged in foudres and demi-muids), with a balance of mainly Syrah and Mourvèdre (both aged in smaller barrels). It's full-bodied, rich and velvety, with a long, softly dusty finish. It lacks the easy approachability of the 2018 but is more concentrated and should age particularly well.
Range: 93-95 -
Jeb Dunnuck
Leading off the wines from bottle, the 2019 Gigondas Réserve is a beautiful wine that readers should snatch up. A blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and the balance Mourvèdre and Cinsault that was 70% destemmed, it has a wonderful array of blackberries, black raspberries, Provençal garrigue, and violets. Loaded with sweet fruit, deep, rich, and opulent, it has sweet tannins and no hard edges. Drink it any time over the coming 10-12 years. Best after 2022.
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Wine Spectator
This delivers a succulently delicious wave of crushed raspberry and boysenberry fruit flavors, laced with a lively anise streak and flecked with subtle spice and savory details through the finish. There's a nice underlying energy throughout as well. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault. Drink now through 2031. 2,500 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.