Gigondas
Gigondas has been feted for its high-quality wines since Roman times, although it wasn’t really until it was classified as a Côtes du Rhône Villages in 1966 that it began to realise its potential. It achieved AC status in 1971 and today produces some of the finest, most underrated and under-priced wines in the Rhône valley; although, for the last two of these at least, probably not for much longer.
Bottle
£19.95
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
As the names suggest, Les Racines is sourced from lower vineyards than Les Terrasses (Daniel’s other Gigondas) but from older vines, over 70 years of age in the case of the Grenache which makes up 90 percent of this cuvée, the balance made up of Mourvèdre. A surprisingly feminine floral aromatic is followed by a fine and elegant palate with notes of myrtle and liquorice, mocha, and forest floor all evidenced. The synergy between house style and vintage personality is conspicuously successful in 2016. Drink 2020-2024.
Simon Field MW - Wine Buyer
Bottle
£30.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 5cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 4cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 3cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Case price (Bottle 12 x 75cl)
Bottle 12 x 75cl 7cs
Case price (Bottle 6 x 75cl)
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Case price (Bottle 6 x 75cl)
Bottle 6 x 75cl 3cs
Case price (Bottle 6 x 75cl)
Bottle 6 x 75cl 2cs
Case price (Bottle 6 x 75cl)
Bottle 6 x 75cl 2cs
Drink 2017-2020.
Simon Field MW – Wine Buyer
Drink 2017-2021.
Simon Field MW – Wine Buyer
Simon Field MW- Wine Buyer
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe is one of the most renowned estates of the Southern Rhône, with around 45 hectares of vines, and an average vine age of 55 years. Blessed with one of the finest locations in the area, the particularly hot microclimate is such that the Bruniers, owners of the estate for almost a century, are able to harvest as much as a week ahead of their neighbours. Vieux Télégraphe's blend is a typical one, with Grenache accounting for around two thirds, while the rest is made up of Syrah and Cinsault in roughly equal proportions, plus a tiny bit of Clairette. The Bruniers also run a radically different property in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, named Piedlong, and a very attractive property in the hills of Gigondas, Domaine les Pallières.
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer, February 2012
Few developments have been as telling or as significant as the progress made by the Perrins in the villages outside of their Châteauneuf-du-Pape fortress. Their aspiration has been clear and it has been honourable; through ownership, partnership and, where appropriate, acquisition, they wish to build a portfolio which shows the very best in the very best of the terroirs which these villages have to offer and thereby to promote both the Perrin philosophy, which is focused on quality and quality only, and in the process, to raise the profile of the region as a whole. The progress made to date has been most impressive! The artists formerly known as Perrin Père et Fils now prefer the title of La Famille Perrin...
Bottle 6 x 75cl 2cs
Simon Field MW, Rhône Wine Buyer
The over-achieving Perrins have made excellent progress in their aspiration to become the leading négociant in the Southern Rhône; indeed I would venture that they have already achieved this and the additional benefit of being actually located in situ only strengthens this position. With subtle changes to nomenclature and livery, along with the clear focus on Gigondas and Vinsobres as the villages deemed primes inter pares, progress has been impressive indeed, as , of course, are the wines.
Domaine Montirius is an impeccable biodynamic estate that produces wines of brilliant richness and depth with the characteristic notes of Provençal herb and personality. This is really great quality at a really great price.
(Stuart Rae, BBR Fine Wine)
More elegant than previously, this cuvée, which is made up of 80% old-vine Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre, still boasts astonishing concentration and very powerful tannins, so fear not those who love robust Gigondas with their game dishes. I think the tannin management is better than ever this year and beyond all the power and glory there is a purity and focus which is extremely impressive!
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer, February 2012)
Christine and Eric Saurel own 60 hectares mostly on the Plateau des Garrigues which overlooks the villages of Vacqueyras and Sarrains, all of which they have farmed on biodynamic principles for an incredible 16 years. Blue and monmorate ‘petrus’ clay soils contribute to the astonishing flavours coaxed from these old vines. Christine describes her goals in terms of ‘luminosité’, an intangible and almost ethereal term yet one which seems strangely appropriate and which can only be properly explained by tasting the wines themselves, which are a far cry from traditional styles from these villages.
Simon Field MW, Rhône Wine Buyer
In his quarterly newsletter, ’Sémaphore’ Daniel Brunier does not mince his words when he describes the 2012 vintage as ‘simply phenomenal’, inculpating ‘freshness of fruit, balance, and serious tannic structure’ for this state of affairs. And so it proves that in all three wines that there is both power and lightness of touch. The ballet dancer Carlos Acosta comes to mind, or even Nureyev himself.
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
Simon Field MW - Wine Buyer
The Perrins are far from equivocal in outlining their aspirations in the Southern Rhône; they wish to match the undisputed primacy of their Beaucastel estate with hegemony of classic vineyards to demonstrate the best characteristics of the best villages: Voltaire without Pangloss. Nurturing and guiding as appropriate, they have rapidly built up an enviable portfolio which has gone virtually all the way to the realisation of this ambition. Their attention has been focused especially on the villages of Vinsobres and Gigondas, both of which share altitude and aspect to suit the subtly changing climate in the region.
Mourvèdre and 80-year-old Grenache, the
Confidential 2010 is an outstanding effort, its weight
of dense black fruit beautifully complemented by
what Christine describes as salinity – a reference
to the pure minerality which underpins the wine’s
structure. Wonderfully balanced and almost
feminine, despite its power – a word seldom used in
this particular appellation. Drink 2021-2025.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer
Bottle 6 x 75cl 2cs
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer