From: Gigondas, Southern Rhône, France
Varietals: Grenache mostly, with small amounts of Syrah and Mourvèdre
Taste and Critical Acclaim: We tasted through this wine recently and thought it was a beautiful representation of the classic elegance of Gigondas; similar Châteauneuf-du-Pape but sometimes even prettier! Regarding fruit and non-fruit aromas and textures, please refer to the tasting notes below. We had to include them as they are all spot-on to all this whine tastes like. If, however, you’d like to delve further into the vintage itself as is noted in the first tasting note, please refer to the 2020 vintage report above.
“For more reference as to the vintage, you following “A metronome regularity for this cuvée born from Grenache, Syrah, and a touch of Mourvèdre. The jury appreciated its clean and typical expression of licorice, black berries and grilled aromatics. The supple, finessed palate displays notes of blackcurrant paste, supported by soft tannins and discreet woodiness with accents of dried fruits. A balanced and delicious Gigondas, well suited to its vintage.” —Guide Hachette de Vin 2023
Winemaker notes: “Deep red garnet color. Aromas typical for Grenache with ripe black fruit, blackberry. A powerful Gigondas, racy but harmonious and well balanced. The finish is long on spices touches (pepper) and minerals (crushed rocks, graphite).”
“Opaque magenta. Expressive, smoke-accented red and dark berry aromas show very good clarity and pick up black pepper and licorice notes with air. Supple and broad in the mouth, this wine offers plush cherry and black raspberry flavors with a touch of succulent herbs. Finishes smooth and long, with well-judged tannins and lingering cherry and spice notes.” —Josh Raynolds, Vinous, 91 points (2023)
Pairing: This elegant wine will pair nicely with heartier, spiced foods including braised game or red meat, casseroles, and barbecued meats. Mushroom and pepper sauces and Mediterranean lamb dishes will also work well. Most seafood will not work with this wine, except for certain preparations of more substantial fish like Tuna or maybe even a Salmon in a rich sauce.
Lamb Tagine
By Melissa Clark
About. Seven generations of the Jaume family have been dedicated to the art of wine growing since 1826, when they established themselves in the northern part of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Today, Maison Alain Jaume’s aim is to produce wines that are intense, rich and complex and that reflect and embody the wonderful terroir of the southern Rhône Valley. Their wine growing skills, together with the unique terroir of their vineyards, represent the precious legacy handed down by their ancestors that they constantly strive to preserve. Fundamental to their approach to vine-growing is their commitment to respecting the soil, the vines and the health and ripeness of the grapes.
This wine spent approximately 18 days in stainless steel vats, fermenting and undergoing punchdowns for extraction of color and flavor. The Grenache is aged in thick concrete vats to preserve the subtle aromas and power of the fruit, while the Syrah and Mourvèdre are aged in French oak barrels to soften the tannic structure and enhance their black fruit aromas and spicy finish. Bottling occurred after 12-14 months.
