Winemaker Notes
Domaine les Pallieres Gigondas Racines, which flows from the estate's very old vines, possesses the velvet, depth and harmony of old Grenache when cultivated on refined terroirs. It has very high ageing potential, with balance being the prime factor.
Blend: 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah & Cinsault, 5% Clairette
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Concentrated and silky with fine, fantastic tannins for the 2021 vintage, this is earthy and meaty with excellent concentration and a very long, firm yet polished finish. A cuvee based on grenache from vines growing around the winery. Should age extremely well.
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Vinous
Saturated ruby-red. On the nose, suggestions of licorice, lavender, succulent herbs and white pepper accompany incisive red and blue fruit scents. Spice-laced raspberry and boysenberry flavors show a solid mineral backbone and sharp focus. Unfurls on the extremely long, penetrating finish, featuring gently gripping tannins and resonating spice and floral notes. Made with 20% whole clusters.
Range: 93-94 -
Jeb Dunnuck
As always, the 2021 Gigondas Les Racines is slightly darker styled, with more black raspberry, blackberry and licorice as well as peppery garrigue. Nicely textured and medium-bodied, with good concentration and fine tannins, it's balanced, has good ripeness, and outstanding length as well.
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Wine Spectator
A racy, taut version, with high-toned floral aromatics sharing the stage with flavors of iodine and mesquite smoke. A salty, smoky meat note weaves through, infusing light red currant and raspberry accents on a light-to-medium frame. Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Clairette. Drink now through 2027.
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.