Saint Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes 2021 (750ML)

93-95 VM / 91-93 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 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.-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