Winemaker Notes
This wine is dressed in a beautiful purple robe with deep and brilliant reflections. Its nose exhales an aromatic bouquet and a great complexity, on notes of very ripe fruits such as blackberry and cherry, wrapped by an elegant folded key. The palate is perfectly balanced, both concentrated and delicate, on jammy fruit and spices. The finish is long, extending on straight tannins.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
A blend of 80% Grenache and 10% each Syrah and Mourvèdre, the 2018 Gigondas Les Mourres is a stunning 2018 that does everything right in this vintage. Revealing a more medium ruby hue as well as classy notes of savory red and black fruits, dried flowers, ground pepper, garrigue, and spice box, this beauty hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a layered, seamless mid-palate, and a great finish. It’s just loaded with Provençal charm, and I would be thrilled to drink bottles any time over the coming 10-12 years.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Matured in a combination of concrete tanks (80%) and foudres (20%), the 2018 Gigondas les Mourres is a full-bodied blend of 80% Grenache and 10% each Mourvèdre and Syrah. Dark-fruited and ripe, it delivers black cherries and plums, cola and spice on the nose, supple tannins on the palate and a lingering, silky finish tinged with anise and mocha. Note that the designation, "les Mourres," appears only on the back label.
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Wine Enthusiast
Veins of graphite and granite meld into ripe, almost caramelized, flavors of black cherry and blueberry in this powerful Grenache-dominant blend (accented by 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre). A gripping, firmly tannic wine in youth, it should ease and improve through 2028
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.