Geography

Gigondas sits at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail — a dramatic limestone ridge in the southern Rhône — about 25 miles northeast of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The vineyards run up the slopes from the village toward the rocks above, with elevations from 300 to 600+ metres. The combination of altitude (which produces cooler nights and better acid retention than Châteauneuf) and limestone-influenced soils makes Gigondas a slightly fresher, more structured style than its more famous neighbor.

The grapes

Grenache must be at least 50% of the blend (and often is 65-80%). Syrah and Mourvèdre fill in the rest. The appellation is red-and-rosé only — no white Gigondas is permitted. The blends typically have slightly more Syrah than Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s classic GSM mix, which adds structure and aromatic lift.

Style of the wines

Gigondas: ripe strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, dried herbs (garrigue), black pepper, sometimes a slightly more graphite-and-mineral character than Châteauneuf-du-Pape thanks to the higher-elevation limestone soils. Tannin is moderate to firm; acid is moderate to bright; alcohol typically 14-15%. The wines are less plush than CdP and slightly more aromatically defined.

How they age

Top Gigondas from a serious producer ages fifteen to twenty-five years. The wines develop a savory, dried-herb, leather tertiary complexity. Gigondas is one of the great value categories in serious French wine — top examples drink at half the Châteauneuf-du-Pape price.

Producers we know

Domaine du Gour de Chaulé, Domaine la Bouïssière, Domaine Saint-Cosme (Louis Barruol), Domaine les Pallières (a joint venture with the Brunier family from Vieux Télégraphe), Domaine Santa Duc, Domaine Brusset, Domaine Les Gouberts, Château de Saint-Cosme.