Châteauneuf-du-Pape is one of the world’s great wine brands – at its best, the wines can rival Burgundy or Bordeaux for complexity and nuance. But our favorite value in the Southern Rhône is Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s neighbor Gigondas. Our source here for several decades has been the Domaine les Goubert.
Vinous calls Goubert “one of the appellations most venerable domaines.” In particular he cites “the 2018 and 2019 versions, the current releases, are superb and in the upper tier of bottlings from those vintages.” Winemaker Florence Cartier has maintained her family domaine’s storied reputation, and the wines are as good as they’ve ever been.
Their 2019 Gigondas “Cuvée Florence” is terrific, and a perfect wine for the chill in the air these days. Vinous’s Josh Raynolds gave 94 points, finding “white pepper, incense, espresso,” and “smoke-laced blackberry compote, kirsch and mocha.” We think this wine has a long life ahead of it, but with a decanter and roast of lamb it will disappear from your table with haste.
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Goubert Gigondas “Florence” 2019
bottle price: $52