Domaine Giraud
Owned by François and Marie Giraud the 19 hectare Domaine Giraud is now rated among the best producers in Châteauneuf du Pape. François is responsible for the vineyards and Marie for the vinification and together with Philippe Cambié, one of the Rhône's most exceptional consultant wine makers, they have come up with a string of excellent vintages. The 19 hectares are split between an 8 hectare plot in the 'Gallimardes' area in the south, which includes parcels of hundred-year old Grenache, and further sites in the Crau, the sandy soils near Château Rayas on the Pignan plateau, and the white rocky soils of the highest points of the appellation, and these too include vines over a hundred years old.
After selling wine to negociants for many years, this estate began to estate bottle in 1998. With the assistance of the brilliant Philippe Cambie, the wines have soared in quality, and Domaine Giraud is now one of the more exciting domaines in Chateauneuf du Pape. They own over 47 acres of vineyards, including the incredible parcel of 100+-year-old vines in a lieu-dit called La Grande Pierre which has sandy soil similar to that at nearby Chateau Rayas. Two of the finest 2008 Chateauneuf du Papes I tasted were produced by proprietors Marie and Francois Giraud. Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, www.RobertParker.com