2014 Domaine Saint-Damien Gigondas Les Souteyrades, France, Rhones, WIne Review

Gigondas can offer great values on a Chateauneuf styled wine for a lot less money. This is a great example. And coming, from a less than great vintage, this is drinking quite well at age 5. Deep ruby in color. The nose is tight but with air opens to show raspberries, black cherries, char and spice. On the palate, this has a great texture. Juicy and full bodied. Black cherry fruit over a bed of spice, earth and char. Light tannins. Nice finish. This won't get better but should be at this level for another five to ten years. It will go well with stews or roasts.

Grade:

A-

Score:

Vintage:

2014

2005 Domaine Grand Veneur Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Origines, France, Rhones, Wine Review

Vintage:

2005

Score:

Grade:

Every once in a while you open a bottle and its at peak. It is a great feeling. This was one of those times. Deep ruby in color. The nose is great with black cherries, minerals, slight floral notes and garrique. On the palate, this is layered and complex. At the same time it drinks fresh and with vibrancy. Plenty of black cherry fruit, some black licorice, and charred earth. Long finish. This is delicious on its own and will work great with casseroles and roasts. It should be here for three to five years and then slowly fade while still great for another ten or so.

2006 Château de Saint-Cosme Gigondas Valbelle, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2006

Score:

Grade:

Gigondas is often thought of as a "poor man's" Chateauneuf du Pape and for a lot of reasons that is true. But, the best Gigondas producers are certainly on a par with many of the better Chateauneufs and Saint-Cosme is certainly one of the best Gigondas producers. At 12 years from vintage, this seems to be at about peak. 2006 was a very good if not remarkable vintage. Being caught between the classic 2005 and the ostentatious 2007, it got a bit over looked. Purple/ruby in color. The nose has cherries, spice, minerals, slight tobacco/dried leaves and dried cherries. On the palate, this

2015 Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas Valbelle, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2015

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$75.00USD

Gigondas is often thought of as a "lesser" Chateauneuf du Pape. That can be good as in pricing or bad as in quality. This is neither. It is one of the best Gigondas produced and it is not inexpensive. That said, if you like CdP, you will love this. Purple in color with some ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is great with black raspberries, spices, slight floral, black cherries and earth. Full bodied. Good acidity. Light tannins. On the palate, this is complex and layered. Deep. Flavors of black raspberries, earth and char. Long finish. This is not yet at peak but

2013 Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas Hominis Fides, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2013

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$105.00USD

This is always one of the top Gigondas of the vintage. 2013 was, however, a below average vintage. This is still an outstanding vintage but this wine is expensive for Gigondas. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose is tight but opens to show earthy black raspberries with a bit of smoke. On the palate, this is medium bodied. Nice mouthfeel. Slightly bitter (not in a bad way) cherries with black cherries over char. Slight tannins. Moderate finish. This is tight and may still improve a bit. It should drink well for the next seven to ten years. This will work better with food.

2016 Domaine les Pallières Gigondas Les Racines, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$39.00USD

Given the outstanding vintage and pedigree of this wine, perhaps it was a bit shut down, but it under performed expectations in a recent tasting. That said, it was still excellent especially given the pricing of Gigondas. Purple in color with ruby swirls. The nose has black cherries, black pepper, spice and dust. Medium bodied. On the palate, slightly bitter black cherries. Clean. Tight. This didn't budge over the couple of hours it sat in the glass. It probably needs at least three to five more years to open and then should drink well for five to seven after that. If drinking soo

2014 Domaine Saint-Damien Gigondas Les Souteyrades, France, Rhones, WIne Review

Food and Wine Pairing Tool

Related Articles

2005 Domaine Grand Veneur Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Origines, France, Rhones, Wine Review

2006 Château de Saint-Cosme Gigondas Valbelle, France, Rhone, Wine Review

2015 Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas Valbelle, France, Rhone, Wine Review

2013 Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas Hominis Fides, France, Rhone, Wine Review

2016 Domaine les Pallières Gigondas Les Racines, France, Rhone, Wine Review