Winemaker Notes
This Gigondas can be paired with guinea fowl, coq au vin, a beef stew or casserole, and other prepared dishes, even if spicy or highly seasoned.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A fine surprise, Lavau's 2015 Gigondas stands out for its exciting aromas of flowering garrigue and super ripe fruit. It's full-bodied and supple, with a creamy texture and long finish that reprises those enticing herbal notes. It's ready to drink now.
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Wine Spectator
Juicy, with a light brambly undertow amid the juicy blackberry and black currant fruit, accented by licorice snap and singed apple wood notes. Very solid. Best from 2018 through 2025.
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Wine Enthusiast
Whiffs of black-cherry preserves dusted in sweet spice introduce this unctuously fruity red. It's a straightforward, juicy wine but boldly concentrated with flavors of sun-kissed plums and berries that linger through a long, softly tannic finish. Drink now through 2020.
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.