Description
This is a red wine from the Southern Rhone appellation of Gigondas made from Grenache (80%) and Syrah (20%). A bold and powerful wine with a beautiful combination of black and red berries, Provencal herbs such as thyme and rosemary and a subtle peppery note which is unmistakeably the signature of Syrah from the Rhone. Gigondas can get even warmer than nearby Chateauneuf de Pape in the growing season which contributes to the intense flavours and generous alcohol. Following a judicious picking process, the wine spends 12 months in barrel to infuse delicate oak flavours and temper the tannins and alcohol.
Gigondas was only formally recognised as an appellation in its own right from 1971, elevating it above the Cotes du Rhone Villages label. However, it was in 1929 that a 19-year-old, Pierre Amadieu, purchased 7 hectares of land in the village and set about planting vines. From these beginnings the estate has now grown to become the largest within the Gigondas region following the purchase of neighbouring estates – one of which was the Machotte vineyard from which the grapes for this wine are sourced. This will benefit from a few years in bottle to further develop but also offers itself as a superb food match if enjoyed young – aside from the classic beef stew seasoned with rosemary, we also hear that it pairs well with vanilla ice cream and strawberry puree!
