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Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes 2018

$49.99

LAST OF THIS VINTAGE!

Out of stock

Categories: , Product ID: 16088

Description

Proprietor Joel Saurel, backed up by the inimitable Philippe Cambie as his consultant, has transformed this estate into one of the greatest in Gigondas, rivalling the two top producers, Yves Gras’ Santa Duc and Louis Barruol’s Saint Cosme.Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

Domaine Saint-Damien has been producing some of the region’s most elegant wines for years, but for some reason they rarely get the attention they deserve. Pricing here is also admirably fair, which makes this an address to be reckoned with for savvy Rhône wine lovers. The Saurel family, which has been farming here since 1821, now owns just over 12 hectares of vines in Gigondas, most of them quite old and cropped low, and the wines are aged in large, traditional concrete vats and old foudres and usually bottled on the young side “to preserve freshness,” as Romain Saurel said. Saurel’s father, Joël, is largely responsible for the domaine’s current (insider) fame and was also the one who brought its vineyards up to Agriculture Biologique certification in 2012. These wines are now consistently delivering some of the southern Rhône’s greatest values in high-end wine.“ Vinous Media, February 2020

Domaine Saint-Damien is run by Joel and Amie Saurel and their son Romain who has now taken charge of the winemaking. The Saurel family had been tending vineyards for four generations, dating back to 1821, and until recently had been selling all of the grapes to negociants. In 1996 Joel resumed producing wine at the estate and in 1998 they brought on consulting winemaker Philippe Cambie. Vinification is classic with wines being fermented in large old cement tanks and aged in either cement tanks or large old foudres for the Gigondas.

Today the estate is comprised of 17 hectares of vineyards of which 12 are in Gigondas. All their vineyards are certified organic since 2012. The vines are an average age of 50 years and are very low yielding. The wines of Gigondas are bottled according to individual terroir (particularly soil type) known as the Saint Damien Trilogy. Incredibly complex geology/soils translates to terrific results.

This fine blend comprises 80% Grenache (1964), 20% Mourvèdre (1977).

92-94 points Jeb Dunnuck “The base Gigondas, the 2018 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes is a blend from both the La Louisiane and Pigière lieux-dits near the estate (due to the dismal yields, there’s no Souteyrade cuvée in 2018) and is 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah brought up in foudre. It has a wonderful flowery incense and blue fruit quality as well as medium to full body, a ripe, rounded mid-palate, and a great texture. It’s a more forward, charming, sexy wine that’s going to drink nicely in its youth yet also evolve gracefully. ” (9/2019)

92-94 points Robert Parker’s Wine AdvocateThe 2018 Gigondas Classique Vieilles Vignes shows impressive levels of black cherry fruit, joined by hints of garrigue and licorice. It’s full-bodied, silky and easy to drink, finishing long, briny and savory. This certified organic estate lost about half its 2018 crop to mildew, according to Romain Saurel, who has gradually taken over the management of the domaine from his parents. As a result, there will be no 2018 les Souteyrades. Thankfully, what there is looks customarily good. Saurel made note of the showers that fell September 4-5, which after a dry summer was, he says, “fantastic for the maturity.” The harvest here finished up just before rain fell again on October 10-11. (JC) “(8/2019)

91-93 points Vinous Media Josh RaynoldsDeep, glistening ruby. Expansive aromas of ripe red/blue fruits, potpourri and licorice are complemented by bright mineral and exotic spice nuances that emerge with air. Juicy, penetrating raspberry, bitter cherry and candied violet flavors become sweeter with aeration and show a surprisingly delicate touch. Velvety tannins lend subtle grip to an impressively long, spice-laced finish that emphatically echoes the red fruit and floral notes ” (2/2020)

RRP $62  Our Price $49.99 – Last of this vintage.

(New 2019 Vintage also available Click here for Special Buy)

Additional information

Producer

Saint Damien

Region or Country

France

Variety

Grenache and Blends

Vintage

2018

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