Gigondas continues to produce some of the best value southern reds around. At their best they match the complexity and depth of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but at a noticeable discount. Our producer here, the Clos du Joncuas, is described by Josh Raynolds of Vinous as an “insiders’ producer…true, old-school renditions of Gigondas.”
Winemaker Dany Chastan is the granddaughter of the founder, and she’s successfully raised the quality without abandoning the style. Organic for over 40 years, she uses 100% whole clusters, ambient yeasts, and not even mention of new oak – this is pure, unrestrained expression of magnificent terroir.
Chastan’s 2019 Gigondas is a triumph – we’ve bought it now three times, and each time it gets better. We poured it for a tasting last night and it was easily the crowd favorite – smooth, generous, expansive and flat out delicious. The nose explodes with black raspberry, plum, spice, earth and cedar; the mouth is rich and palate-coating but with excellent definition and exceptional length. Raynolds found “silky texture” with an “energetic, long, sappy finish” with “supple tannins that add shape and subtle grip.”
Just the wine to stock for your autumn cellar.
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Joncuas Gigondas 2019
bottle price: $42
