2011 Gigondas Aux Lieux Dits
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Tasting notes
In the same ball park and a classic Gigondas with its rich, spice-laced aromas and flavors and medium to full-bodied, structured palate feel, the 2011 Gigondas Aux Lieux-Dits is a foudre aged blend of 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah and the rest Mourvedre and Cinsault. Mouth filling, with ripe tannin and a solid length on the finish, drink bottles over the coming 7-8 years. This was a solid tasting with proprietor Yves Gras. One of the benchmark estates in Gigondas, the estate also releases a number of high-quality negociant wines from Sablet, Vin de Pays and Cotes du Rhone. While 2011 and 2012 are strong vintages here, the wines are more streamlines and focused than in the past, and in the case of the 2012s, should benefit from short-term cellaring, as I found most to be closed and tight. Importer: Robert Kacher Selections, New York, NY; tel. (212) 239-1275
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
75% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsault. Pungent nose and sweet start. Relatively open and easy. Low tannins. (JR)
The 2011 Gigondas is one of the more seductive wines in this sensual vintage. Although it is not as big as the two preceding vintages, it is an attractive blend of 75% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre and the rest Syrah and Cinsault. Aged completely in foudre, it exhibits lots of blueberry, blackberry and kirsch fruit intermixed with hints of crushed rocks and spring flowers. This medium to full-bodied, soft Gigondas is ideal for drinking during its first 6-10 years of life. (Not yet released) Several years ago Yves Gras purchased some hectares from Paul Jeune (the proprietor of Mont Pertuis) in the renowned La Crau sector of Chateauneuf du Pape, and his first two efforts are noteworthy. Under the negociant label called Santa Duc Selections, Gras produces some delicious white wines that merit attention from consumers. They are generally blends of Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Viognier. Yves Gras is also the winemaker for Patricia Wells, who has a home and cooking school in Vaison La Romaine, a few miles north of Gigondas. Her estate is called Clos Chanteduc. The Domaine Santa Duc produces a Cotes du Rhone called Les Quatres Terres, which is a 4,000-case blend of 70% Grenache, 25% Syrah and the rest Counoise and Mourvedre. Importer: Robert Kacher Selections, New York, NY; tel. (212) 239-1275
The 2011 Domaine Santa Duc Gigondas, tasted out of foudre and a blend of 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre, and 5% Cinsault, should be an outstanding bottle of wine. Displaying lovely aromas of violets, ripe blackberry fruit, spice, and garrigue qualities on the nose, it is medium+ bodied, beautifully textured, and possesses solid richness through the middle and on the finish. It should be approachable on release, and evolve gracefully for a decade.
About the producer
Product details
Grenache/ Garnacha , Mourvedre/Monastrell/Mataro, Syrah / Shiraz
Red
Dry