Winemaker Notes
The 2017 Dom. Du Grapillon d'Or Gigondas has a brilliant deep ruby red color with intense aromas of red fruits, pepper, spice and licorice. It’s a full bodied and powerful wine, well balanced with a very long finish. It’s a rich and elegant wine
This wine is perfect with leg of lamb, beef with wine sauce, roasted pigeon, mushroom omelette, truffle omelette, game and a variety of a cheeses.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The classic cuvée of the estate, the 2017 Gigondas Cuvée 1806 is a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah that was destemmed and brought up in tank and older barrels. It’s not bottled, but nevertheless appears to be one of the finest examples from this estate to date, with beautiful kirsch fruit, notes of garrigue, ground pepper, and earth, medium to full body, and a layered, fleshy, sexy texture. It’s a no brainer purchase.
Range: 92-94
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
An 80-20 Grenache-Syrah blend, the 2017 Gigondas boasts blackberry and mulberry fruit. It's dark and intense but already approachable, being full-bodied, supple and graced with soft, gentle tannins. Crisp acids on the finish make a pleasant counterpoint without being jarring, serving to bring focus and length. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.
Range: 91-93
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Wine Spectator
Nicely rendered, with a focused core of cassis and bitter cherry fruit, lined with subtle bergamot, garrigue and red tea notes. Reveals a dusting of sandalwood on the finish. Best from 2021 through 2028.
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.