Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
A stylish version, with real concentration and ripeness to the plum and black cherry flavors, all backed by a steely layer of graphite minerality. Dried lavender and incense add aromatic intrigue, but this is mostly about simmering, smoky power, with the muscular tannins keeping a firm grip. Needs time. Best from 2026 through 2037.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2022 Gigondas Tradition is straight-up classic Gigondas goodness, offering darker berry fruits as well as peppery herbs, leather, and a beautiful sense of minerality. It's medium to full-bodied, concentrated, has ripe tannins, and a great finish. You could do a lot worse than having a case of this in the cellar. It will keep for 10-15 years.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
Medium garnet in color, the 2022 Domaine La Bouïssere Gigondas exhibits lively aromas of red and black fruits. On the palate, this wine exhibits outstanding richness making it an excellent choice with Gigot d’Agneau (Roast Leg of Lamb with Garlic & Rosemary) – a regional Rhône classic, balancing savory herbs with the wine’s fruit. (Tasted: September 9, 2025, San Francisco, CA)
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A delicate, lively bouquet of pepper, dark cherries, peonies and flowers preface the 2022 Gigondas from Domaine la Bouissiere, a delicately juicy, enveloping and supple wine with velvety tannins and a juicy core of fruit, concluding with a long, fresh and ethereal finish. This blend of 72% Grenache Noir, 26% Syrah and the rest Mourvèdre is a bright, vibrant Gigondas that can age gracefully over the next decade.
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.