Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
More blackberries, cassis, crushed stone, and ground pepper notes emerge from the 2019 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes, a straight-up fabulous Gigondas based on 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre. Medium to full-bodied, pure, and balance, with a terrific blend of power and elegance, it will benefit from just a few years of bottle age and have 10-15 years of prime drinking.
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Wine Enthusiast
This blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvédre is beguiling from first whiff, offering loads of luscious blackberry, violet and sandalwood perfume. Profoundly ripe in black-fruit flavors yet lifted and mineral, it's a generous, supple red with equally silky tannins and a fresh acidic edge. Marked by hints of chocolate and charred earth, it delights young but should improve through 2029 and likely hold further still.
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.