Saint Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes 2021 (750ML)

93-95 VM / 92 WA / 91 JD / 91 JS

One of the most consistently highly rated producers in all of France, the 2021 vintage marks the tenth consecutive with scores of 95 point or higher for at least one of their Gigondas offerings. But the 2021 vintage brings a curveball. Saint Damien always produces four separate Gigondas bottlings: La Louisiane, Les Souteyrades, Clovis Saurel, and Vieilles Vignes. However, with yields for the vintage being incredibly low, the Domaine made the decision to only bottle one wine – Vieilles Vignes. Thus, the 2021 Vieilles Vignes is comprised of equal parts of the best fruit from the La Louisiane, Les Souteyrades, and Clovis Saurel vineyards creating arguably the most complex and interesting version of Vieilles Vignes ever produced.

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 pastille flavors 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.-Josh Raynolds, Vinous Media

The only cuvée to be bottled this vintage because of widespread frost, the 2021 Gigondas Classique Vieilles Vignes is a lovely effort, loaded with ripe cherries. An 80-20 blend of Grenache and Mourvèdre, it's plush, ripe and concentrated, with a long, velvety finish. It's a standout effort that shouldn't be ignored. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes.-Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate

The only cuvée released in 2021, the 2021 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes is a beautiful, elegant red displaying the charming, supple, layered style of the vintage. Offering notes of Provençal herbs, pepper, and spicy red and black fruits, it's medium-bodied, has ripe, integrated tannins, and a great finish. It's going to drink brilliantly over the coming 7-8 years or so. -Jeb Dunnuck

Smoky and fruity nose with cherries, mixed berries, dried thyme and crushed peppercorns. Full body with chewy tannins. Spicy and punchy on the palate with lots of blueberries and plums, with fresh acidity running throughout. 80% grenache and 20% mourvedre. Vivid finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.-James Suckling