Winemaker Notes
Blend: 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah – Cinsault (co-planted), 5% Clairette.
Professional Ratings
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Wine & Spirits
The Bruniers of Vieux Telegraphe and American importer Kermit Lynch bought this estate in the late 1990s and set about rehabilitating the vineyards. This cuvee comes from the terraced vineyards surrounding the winery, where the vines average 65 years old. It's juicy and generous, the tart fruit bristling with acidity that keeps the wine lithe. Herbal notes emerge as the wine relaxes, sappy and fragrant, a spunky, palate-whetting Gigondas.
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Wine Spectator
Fresh and racy in feel, with bright red currant, pomegranate and raspberry coulis flavors, carried by brambly tannins and backed by a light chalky spine. Hints of pepper and tobacco fill in. Best from 2016 through 2022.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2013 Gigondas Les Racines has more substance and offers lots of blackcurrant, crushed rock, leather and Gigondas spice-like aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, nicely concentrated and with plenty of tannin, it’s an outstanding effort that will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and drink nicely through 2025.
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.