Winemaker Notes
The wines from this terroir have diaphanous aromas of bright fruit and delicate floral notes. They offer a mineral freshness and lacy tannins that bear witness to the high proportion of limestone present in the marl. An exquisite gustatory experience that offers a clear demonstration of the power of nature to link a wine to its place of origin.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Primarily Grenache, with the balance a mix of Mourvèdre and Syrah, the 2017 Gigondas Clos Derriere Vieille is dark fruited, with notes of black plums and black olives. Medium to full-bodied, it's notably stemmy in character (60% whole bunches were used), which serves to lighten the overall density and richness of the wine and should turn more floral with time in the bottle. The tannins are silky and the acids crisp, lending great energy to the lengthy finish.
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Wine Spectator
Pure and racy in feel, this lets lively damson plum, red currant and raspberry fruit play out against a backdrop of lacy minerality and light savory and tea notes. Reveals a subtle singed alder thread on the finish. Best from 2020 through 2030.
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Jeb Dunnuck
From vines behind the village of Gigondas at an altitude of 300-350 feet above sea level, the 2017 Gigondas Clos Derriere Vieille is another fresh, vibrant wine from the young Benjamin Gras. Cool climate-like notes of sweet red fruits, rose petals, spice, and sappy flower notes all emerge from this medium-bodied, elegant, vibrant barrel sample that bucks the more forward, sexy style of the vintage.
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.