Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes 2021
$52.99
SPECIAL BUY 6 or more. 95 points, Vinous “Get it, lots of it, if you can.”
Description
“Proprietor Joel Saurel, backed up by the inimitable Philippe Cambie as his consultant, has transformed this estate into one of the greatest in Gigondas, rivalling the two top producers, Yves Gras’ Santa Duc and Louis Barruol’s Saint Cosme.” Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
“Domaine Saint-Damien has been producing some of the region’s most elegant wines for years, but for some reason they rarely get the attention they deserve. Pricing here is also admirably fair, which makes this an address to be reckoned with for savvy Rhône wine lovers. The Saurel family, which has been farming here since 1821, now owns just over 12 hectares of vines in Gigondas, most of them quite old and cropped low, and the wines are aged in large, traditional concrete vats and old foudres and usually bottled on the young side “to preserve freshness,” as Romain Saurel said. Saurel’s father, Joël, is largely responsible for the domaine’s current (insider) fame and was also the one who brought its vineyards up to Agriculture Biologique certification in 2012. These wines are now consistently delivering some of the southern Rhône’s greatest values in high-end wine.“ Vinous Media, Feb 2020
Domaine Saint-Damien is run by Joel and Amie Saurel and their son Romain who has now taken charge of the winemaking. The Saurel family had been tending vineyards for four generations, dating back to 1821, and until recently had been selling all of the grapes to negociants. In 1996 Joel resumed producing wine at the estate and in 1998 they brought on consulting winemaker Philippe Cambie. Vinification is classic with wines being fermented in large old cement tanks and aged in either cement tanks or large old foudres for the Gigondas.
Today the estate is comprised of 17 hectares of vineyards of which 12 are in Gigondas. All their vineyards are certified organic since 2012. The vines are an average age of 50 years and are very low yielding. The wines of Gigondas are bottled according to individual terroir (particularly soil type) known as the Saint Damien Trilogy. Incredibly complex geology/soils translates to terrific results.
About the 2021 … This fine blend comprises 80% Grenache (1964), 20% Mourvèdre (1977) from several lieu-dits located on the lower terraces of Gigondas (approx. 150 metres altitude) fermented on skins in large concrete vats for 5 weeks before ageing in large 50 hl old foudres for 12 months before bottling un-fined and unfiltered. This typically shows very well from a young age with great balance and finesse.
(93-95) points, Josh Raynolds, Vinous Media, January 2023 ”Vivid ruby. A highly fragrant bouquet evokes candied red fruits, smoky minerals and lavender; a spicy nuance builds as the wine opens up. Sappy and penetrating on the palate, juicy raspberry, cherry and floral pastile flavours show good heft, seamless texture and real energy. It finishes spicy and impressively long, with sneaky tannins adding a final grip. This is shaping up to be a highly impressive entry-level bottling, which is not surprising given that this is the only Gigondas that will be bottled this year, so all the juice from the Louisiane and Souteyrades is going into this wine. Get it, lots of it, if you can. Raised in neutral, 50 hectoliter oak foudres.”
(91-93) points, Jeb Dunnuck, March 2023 ”The only 2021 I was able to taste, the 2021 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes is a normal blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre that’s from older vines around the estate, on the lower plateau of Gigondas. A pure, pretty, elegant wine, its medium purple hue is followed by notions of darker berries, violets, and ground pepper. It’s balanced, has fine tannins, and is just another fresher, pretty 2021 that will drink nicely in its youth.”
RRP $65 Our Special Price $52.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine.
Additional information
Producer | Saint Damien |
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Region or Country | France, Southern Rhone |
Variety | Grenache and Blends |
Vintage | 2021 |