GIGONDAS
2020 Aux Lieux-Dits Domaine Santa Duc
Grapes | Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah |
Colour | Red |
Origin | France, Rhône |
Other | Certified Organic, Bio-dynamic |
District | Southern Rhône |
Village | Gigondas |
ABV | 14.5% |
2020 Aux Lieux Dits 75% Grenache 13% Mouvedre 10% Syrah & 2% Cinsault from Stockinger Foudre and terracotta aphorae, bottled in Sept 22 released in 23 50% whole bunch Fruity and fresh on the nose, vibrant, sweet raspberry & violets, red cherry with lots of generosity. Soft tannins, this flows really nicely, almost ready to drink, will be for the now lots of good energy here, the acidity is down played but helps to keep everything in balance. Will develop into a great Gigondas. L&S (Jul 2022)
12 | ||
*Case price discount: Mix any 12 bottles of wine (or 9 litre equivalent) or 6 bottles of Champagne, Spirits, Sweet Wine or Fortified (4.5 litres) to get the discounted 'case price' for each bottle.
Deep nose of red fruits with subtle aromas of dry earth and spice. Rich and suave on the generous palate where the dense fine tannins are already beautifully integrated. Very long velvety finish which has a remarkably delicacy. A cuvee of eight separate plots on the high plain of Gigondas. About 75% grenache, plus mourvedre and a little bit of syrah and cinsault. 75% whole bunch. Matured in a combination of Stockinger oak foudre and clay amphora. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold. Rating: 94 Stuart Pigott, JamesSuckling.com (May 2023)
Brilliant ruby. Intensely perfumed, mineral- and spice-driven aromas of ripe red and blue fruit and potpourri show sharp definition; suggestions of woodsmoke and incense build in the glass. Shows outstanding depth as well as energy on the palate, offering powerful raspberry, kirsch and floral pastille flavors and a strong note of exotic spices. It finishes with an alluring sweetness and harmonious tannins that lend shape to a wonderfully long, spice- and floral-accented finish. Rating: 95-96 Josh Raynolds, www.vinousmedia.com (Jan 2023)
What can be thought of as the base Gigondas of the estate, the 2020 Gigondas Aux Lieux-Dits comes from a handful of different terroirs and is partially destemmed and spends 18 months in Stockinger foudre and amphora. It has a pretty, medium-bodied, elegant profile as well as notes of raspberries, spring flowers, rose petal, and cherries. It should easily be an outstanding wine. Rating: 90-92 Jeb Dunnuck, www.jebdunnuck.com (Jan 2022)
Domaine Santa Duc
The name of Domaine Santa Duc has been at the pinnacle of wine in Gigondas since the mid 80’s when, under the firm guidance of the irrepressible and charismatic Yves Gras, they gained international recognition and high scores from wine critics. They have, for some time, been a reference point for quality and style, from one of the most consistently brilliant Crus in the Southern Rhone.
The future of the domaine is now in the very capable hands of Yves' son Benjamin, who becomes the 6th generation of the family to head up the estate. To borrow from Matt Walls ‘Yves Gras and his son Benjamin are very different characters. Yves has the air of a retired East End enforcer, but Benjamin is bookish and jovial’. It would appear from our recent tastings that the estate is in safe hands. Having a respectable CV that boasts stages at Domaine de la Romanée Conti and Vega Sicilia, and visits to nearly every wine producing country in the world, he brings fresh views and ideas, whilst respecting the traditions of his father's work and the past.
The entire 30-hectare estate is now biodynamically farmed and certified, with an emphasis on total respect for nature in the vineyard. They comprise a patchwork of prime vineyard sites in Gigondas totalling 13 hectares, including two brilliant lieux-dits, Les Hautes Garrigues & Clos Derriere Vieille, that bring out the very best expression of Grenache, Syrah & Mourvedre. There is also 6 hectares of prized parcels in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, that have gained high praise in a short space of time. The balance is spread across Vacqueyras and Cotes du Rhone. Nearly all the vines are trained goblet, with a program of Massal selection ongoing to ensure healthy vines from older rootstocks.
The wine making philosophy, like so many now, is as little intervention as possible. Stainless steel fermentation, with a proportion of stems and a short maceration followed by ageing in a mixture of large foudres and terracotta amphorae. The wines are fresh, elegant, pure, dark fruited and long lived although approachable in their youth too. Be in no doubt, these are some of the best wines being made in the southern Rhone.
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