2020 Domaine Saint-Damien GIGONDAS - Southerm Rhône, FRANCE. 750ml
80% Grenache (1964), 20% Mourvèdre (1977) from several lieu-dits located on the lower terraces of Gigondas (approx. 150 metres altitude) fermented on skins in large concrete vats for 5 weeks before ageing in large 50 hl old foudres for 12 months before bottling un-fined and unfiltered. This typically shows very well from a young age with great balance and finesse.
”Vivid ruby. A highly fragrant bouquet evokes candied red fruits, smoky minerals and lavender; a spicy nuance builds as the wine opens up. Sappy and penetrating on the palate, juicy raspberry, cherry and floral pastile flavours show good heft, seamless texture and real energy. It finishes spicy and impressively long, with sneaky tannins adding a final grip. This is shaping up to be a highly impressive entry-level bottling, which is not surprising given that this is the only Gigondas that will be bottled this year, so all the juice from the Louisiane and Souteyrades is going into this wine. Get it, lots of it, if you can. Raised in neutral, 50 hectoliter oak foudres.” (93-95) points, Josh Raynolds, Vinous Media, January 2023
