Winemaker Notes
Beautiful garnet robe with deep and bright reflections. Its nose releases a complex aromatic palette with well ripped fruit flavours like blackberries and cherries,surrounded by an elegant filled touch. Well-balanced on the palate, gentle and concentrated, on candied fruit and spicies. Finish is long on straight tannins.
Blend: 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2021 Gigondas Les Mourres is more classic in style, with ample garrigue, Provençal herbs, toasted nuts, and sweet red and black fruits. It's medium-bodied, forward, and incredibly charming, with fine tannins. I love its purity of fruit, and it's another 2021 that will put a smile on your face any time over the coming 7-8 years or so. This cuvée is 80% Grenache and 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, from older vines, that was 80% destemmed and aged mostly in concrete tanks yet with a small portion in foudre.
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Vinous
The inviting 2021 Gigondas Les Mourres mixes 80% Grenache with equal parts Syrah and Mourvèdre. Partially aged in concrete tanks and foudres, it unfurls with pronounced blood orange, raspberry, forest strawberry and black cherry aromatics. Dried herbs add further layers. The seamless mouthfeel and juicy core of fruit offer pleasure, while the 15% alcohol is well-integrated.
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.