Gigondas AOC 2021 1500ml

Let's look at a special wine that comes from the house of Adrien Roustans, a vineyard in Gigondas that is full of character and spreads over five sections of land in Grand Montmirail. It is perched between 400 and 520 metres above sea level, with the lower part consisting of red marl and the middle and higher areas revealing more and more limestone. The vineyard covers 4.5 hectares of land, was planted in 1975 and consists of a select blend of 70 % Grenache, 20 % Syrah and 10 % Cinsault. After careful destemming and crushing, the grapes were fermented quickly and matured in a concrete cellar.

Visually, the wine presents a medium purple colour, hinting at an initial snap of a darker note. As we dive into the depth of the aroma, we feel as if the Syrah content could be stronger. The wine shines with accents of dark plums, meat, a touch of tar and olive tapenade, accompanied by dark raspberries, herbs and the typical liquorice note of Grenache with an added touch of undergrowth and foliage.

On the palate, it rises with juicy, dark berries and soft tannins, with the influence of Syrah clearly noticeable. Particularly impressive is the vibrant energy that permeates the wine, complemented by the rocky coolness that brings a certain freshness to the cuvée. This is more than just a wine; it is a sensual expression of the place itself, a reflection of garrigue and herbs that integrate harmoniously with the round fruit and fine texture.

As suitable culinary accompaniments I suggest: a rustic sourdough bread with various olive tapenades, slow-braised leg of rabbit in a creamy red wine sauce or Mediterranean-style stuffed cabbage with tomatoes, sausages and smoked bacon.