Domaine Giraud

The Tradition is made from 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvdre. Fleshy, sweet and generous, there are hints of the garrigue and roasted herbs which underline its provenance in a most rewarding manner.

A traditional blend for the traditional cuvée, or if you prefer a classic blend for the classic cuvée; the blend here is 60% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre, with the ageing shared between tank and foudre. The relatively high percentage of Syrah adds focus and tone, with ripe black cherry and cassis evidenced alongside herbal descriptors picked from the kitchen garden.
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer

Marie Giraud had deserved the recent flood of plaudits from the great and the good, including one rather influential commentator. With initial guidance from another larger than life character, oenologist Philippe Cambie, she has adopted a biodynamic approach across 18 hectares of vines, most of which are located to the east of the commune. In the early days I was anxious that extraction was concealing fruit quality; this is no longer the case.

Old vine Grenache is the source here once again and this is a 100% example, from sandy soil vines located on the famous lieu-dits of Pignan and Crau, not too far from Rayas. It is a very special wine that almost seems too perfect now, such is its harmonious equilibrium, but it will age exceptionally well.
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer

Marie Giraud had deserved the recent flood of plaudits from the great and the good, including one rather influential commentator. With initial guidance from another larger than life character, oenologist Philippe Cambie, she has adopted a biodynamic approach across 18 hectares of vines, most of which are located to the east of the commune. In the early days I was anxious that extraction was concealing fruit quality; this is no longer the case.

A blend of 60% Grenache, a high 35% of oak-aged Syrah and 5% Of Mourvèdre, this is a dense and rich Châteauneuf, fleshy and rich, with black cherry and kirsch liqueur dominating the palate and impressive tannins on the finish.
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer, February 2012

With the weighty (in every sense) guidance of Rhône guru Philippe Cambie, Marie Giraud has re-invigorated this property, energising it with a pleasing combination of natural charm, organic viticulture and sensible yields. 2010 has, as Marie advises with pithy precision, ‘plus de buvabilité’ than its immediate predecessor.

90% centurion Grenache and 10% Syrah make up this block-buster, a big beast indeed, but with all important balancing acidity and tightly-knit tannins. A keeper.
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer, February 2012

With the weighty (in every sense) guidance of Rhône guru Philippe Cambie, Marie Giraud has re-invigorated this property, energising it with a pleasing combination of natural charm, organic viticulture and sensible yields. 2010 has, as Marie advises with pithy precision, ‘plus de buvabilité’ than its immediate predecessor.

The soils for these venerable centurion Grenache vines are located on the Crau plateau, which is clay-based, but also in Pignan, which is more sandy. Organic since 2008, Marie and her brother Franois have scored a notable success here; one does not need to employ all thirteen varieties to achieve incredible complexity, it would seem.
Simon Field MW, Rhône Wine Buyer

Marie Giraud is quite business-like these days, and when asked about the vintage, she advises that it has more tension than 2007, less alcohol and concentration than 2010 and ultimately resembles 2009, which also had very small thick-skinned grapes. So there we are. Of course, 2009 was one of her most successful and applauded vintages… thankfully.