By Domaine du Grand Montmirail
'Vieilles Vignes' Gigondas

Wine Description
Domaine du Grand Montmirail's 'Vielles Vignes' Gigondas manifests Yves Cheron's refined elegance that he creates in an appellation often perceived as rustic. This particular wine showcases this brilliantly, with Grenache bringing power, body, and warmth to the wine, while Mourvedre fleshes out the structure, and Syrah supplies longevity.

Tasting Notes
The 2016 vintage is muscular and commanding. This bold, voluminous wine offers concentrated but pristine blueberry and plum flavors. It's creamy and expansive on the palate, with curves framed by soft, sinewy tannins and yielding acidity.

Terroir
On 59 acres of AOC Gigondas hillsides and terraces, mostly Grenache vines along with Syrah and Mourvedre, are planted in soils with a high proportion of rocky stones. They benefit from a sunny southern exposure and are sheltered from the blistering Mistral wind by the cliffs, which form a natural amphitheater. The high altitude of the vineyards (1,300 ft) means cool fresh nights to counter the heat. These natural conditions lead to a supple and elegant Gigondas wine.

History
Denis Cheron acquired the Domaine du Grand Montmirail after moving to the Southern Rhone in the 1960s from Burgundy's Cote de Nuits, where his son Yves was born and where he learned about winemaking with the delicate Pinot Noir grape. Yves took over operations in the 1980s and turned an old convent on the property into fabulously placed living quarters for the family. His philosophy is simple: small production wines straight from the source. The domaine extends over hillsides and terraces of the Southern Rhone, including the appellations of Gigondas, Vacqueyras, and Beaumes de Venise.

Details
Origin: Rhone
Appellation: Gigondas
Terroir: Alluvial deposits on glacial terraces with a high proportion of stones
Blend: 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre
Harvest: By hand with complete destemming
Winemaking: Vinified in stainless steel tanks
Aging: Grenache is aged in cement tanks for three years. 30% Syrah and Mourvedre wines are aged in new oak barrels. Blending is done before bottling.
[Information provided by Serge Dore Selections]

2016 Domaine Du Grand Montmirail Gigondas Vieilles Vignes
Rating: 95
Producer: Domaine du Grand Montmirail
Location: France, Rhone, Southern Rhone, Gigondas
Color: Red
Tasting Date: 9/26/2018
Maturity: After 2018
Reviewed By: Jeb Dunnuck
Source: LE MILLESIME... The 2016s from the Southern Rhone (Part 2)
The finest wine ever from this estate is the 2016 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes, which is 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 10% Mourvedre that was destemmed and brought up in 30% new barrels. (The Grenache was brought up all in concrete.) It's an incredibly gorgeous, full-bodied, powerful yet elegant Gigondas that has rocking notes of plums, black raspberries, kirsch, spice, and new saddle leather literally soaring from the glass. With ultra-fine tannins, a silky, seamless texture, no hard edges, and a great, great finish, it's a wine to buy by the case.

Domaine du Grand Montmirail 2016 Cuvee Vieilles Vignes (Gigondas)
Points: 93
Designation: Cuvee Vieilles Vignes
Variety: Rhone-style Red Blend
Appellation: Gigondas, Rhone Valley, France
Winery: Domaine du Grand Montmirail
Bottle Size: 750.00 ml
Category: Red
Importer: Serge Dore Selections
Date Published: 12/31/2018
Reviewed By: Anna Lee C. Iijima
Muscular and commanding, this bold, voluminous wine offers concentrated but pristine blueberry and plum flavors. It's creamy and expansive on the palate, its curves framed by soft, sinewy tannins and yielding acidity. Drink now-2026.

2016 Domaine du Grand Montmirail Gigondas Vieilles Vignes
France, Rhone, Southern Rhone, Gigondas
Rating: 92
Producer: Domaine du Grand Montmirail
Color: Red
Type: Table
Sweetness: Dry
Variety: Proprietary Blend
Drink Date: 2020 - 2030
Issue Date: 31st Aug 2018
Source: 238, The Wine Advocate
Reviewed by Joe Czerwinski
The 2016 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes is 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre. On the nose, it's flowers and spice, hinting at violets but also cinnamon and clove. Medium to full-bodied, it's crisper than many Gigondas this vintage, with cherry, cranberry and pomegranate flavors framed by fine-grained tannins. It should drink well at least through 2030. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.

Domaine du Grand Montmirail 2016 Gigondas Cuvee Vieilles Vignes
Points: 92
Gigondas, Southern Rhone
Red wine from France
Drinking window: 2023 - 2030
Bright ruby. Expressive aromas of ripe red berries and candied flowers; an intriguing suggestion of apricot emerges as the wine stretches out. Smooth and lush in the mouth, offering Chambord and cherry cola flavors energized by a jolt of peppery spices. Finishes sweet, gently tannic and very long, leaving floral pastille and raspberry notes behind.
Josh Raynolds. Tasting date: April 2018

2016 Domaine du Grand Montmirail Cuvee Vieilles Vignes (Gigondas)
Juicy, sweet and fresh, with a lively core of earthy, garrigue filled nuances, the finish swerves up a blast of peppery kirsch sensations. Produced from blending 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre.
91 Points
Tasted Sep 21, 2019