Winemaker Notes
Domaine Raspail-Ay produces classic Gigondas wines. Full-bodied, fruity, fine and well-balanced. Aromas of red fruits – raspberries and black cherries – with notes of black pepper, lead to more complex scents of licorice and herbs de Provence. Tannins are ripe, the wine fills the mouth with warm, generous flavors yet with an underlying structure that bodes well for future potential.
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
One of my favorite Gigondas estates, Raspail-Ay has made brilliant wines in both 2023 and 2022. Subtle darker berries, Provençal spice, meaty and peppery nuances, and classic garrigue notes all emerge from the 2023 Gigondas, a blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre that was completely destemmed and raised in old foudres. It's medium to full-bodied, has a ripe, layered mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and outstanding length. This is a classic, well-made Gigondas that's going to shine right out of the gate yet still have 15+ years of overall longevity.
Barrel Sample: 91-94 -
Vinous
The juicy 2023 Gigondas bursts with ripe red fruits, spicy undertones and a white pepper pinch. Full-bodied and seamlessly textured, the refined 2023 packs plentiful freshness and concludes with elegance on the long and savory finish.
Barrel Sample: 90-92
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.