Winemaker Notes
In its youth, the Gigondas Terrasse du Diable serves up the minerality, freshness and occasionally over-rugged tannins of high-lying terroirs.
Blend: 85% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Clairette
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
At once fresh, meaty and earthy, with candied orange freshness. This is concentrated and elegant, with crisp tannins that drive it over the medium- to full-bodied palate. There’s terrific mountain freshness in the vibrant finish. A cuvee based on grenache with some mourvedre, mostly from high-altitude vineyards.
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Vinous
Deep magenta. Lively red berry, floral and white pepper scents show excellent definition and are complemented by suggestions of botanical herbs and smoky minerals. Gently sweet, focused and silky in texture, the juicy raspberry, cherry, spicecake and lavender flavors deepen through the mid-palate. Clings strongly on the gently tannic finish, which leaves succulent floral and herb notes behind. Made with 20% whole clusters.
Range: 92-93 -
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2021 Gigondas Terrasse Du Diable is another limestone bomb with it's pretty black raspberries, white truffle, chalky, and white flower-like aromas and flavor. Medium-bodied, elegant, and silky on the palate, it has fine tannins, wonderful balance, and outstanding length.
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Wine Spectator
This offers some nice substance, locked up behind subtly firm tannins that are beginning to unfurl. Smoked oolong tea and cured meat flavors give this a savory edge, with notes of graphite shavings dusting plum skin and stewed cherry. Grenache, Mourvedre and Clairette. Best from 2025 through 2030.
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.