Winemaker Notes
Blend: 78% Grenache, 14% Syrah
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2022 Gigondas checks in as 78% Grenache, 14% Syrah, and the rest Cinsault and Mourvèdre, raised in foudres, with the Syrah in demi-muids. It's a killer effort offering beautiful darker fruits supported by some meaty, garrigue, and iron-like nuances. This carries to a medium to full-bodied, gamey, exotic, balanced Gigondas that's just about overflowing with character. I love it today, yet it has another 10-12 years of prime drinking.
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Vinous
The 2022 Gigondas is gorgeous, bundling intense orange blossom, licorice, ripe strawberry, leafy tones and a touch of graphite on the aromatic composition. Tightly structured by ripe tannins and balanced by a lifting freshness, the full-bodied 2022 requires at least four more years in a cool cellar to mellow. That said, it’s an outstanding Gigondas worth seeking out.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Crafted from vines planted on a combination of clay-limestone, sandy and stony soils, the 2022 Gigondas offers up aromas of cassis, raspberries, flowers and garrigue. Medium to full-bodied with a juicy core of fruit, it's structured with an assertive tannic frame and robust tannins in the finish. Matured for 12 months in foudres or wooden tanks.
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.