Gigondas Domaine Les Pallières, Les Racines
2015
From its humble beginnings in 1898, Vignobles Brunier has become one of the great family domaines of the Southern Rhône. Fourth generation brothers Daniel and Frédéric Brunier now oversee a very impressive array of properties, including La Roquète (Chateâuneuf-du-Pape), Les Pallières (Gigondas), and Le Pigeoulet (Vin de Pays de Vaucluse) as well as the legendary flagship Le Vieux Télégraphe. They have even expanded their activities to Lebanon, where they are now winegrowers at Massaya...
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The vineyard has been built mainly into single-row terraces, to cope with the very steep slopes. The soil, which is partly covered by limestone rock slides is very shallow and sits on a highly compact layer of red clay. Average age of vines is 70 years.
Grapes are hand-picked, gently crushed and destemmed, followed by 25-30 days’ traditional fermentation in temperature controlled concrete and wooden vats. Pneumatic pressing is followed by systematic malolactic fermentation. The wine is then aged for 20 months in French oak foudres (60 hl), bottled unfined and unfiltered, then released at 2 years.
“Racines”, a cuvée made with grapes from the estate’s oldest vines, has the velvet, depth and harmony that defines old world Grenache, and as such has very high ageing potential.
Full ruby. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red and dark berries, potpourri and minerals, with a hint of star anise in the background. Stains the palate with intense black raspberry and floral pastille flavors that deepen and become sweeter with air. Fine-grained tannins build on the strikingly long, focused finish, which leaves notes of cherry compote and licorice behind.
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Brilliant ruby. Lively red fruit and floral scents are complicated by suggestions of smoky minerals and potpourri. Spicy, penetrating and pure, offering gently sweet raspberry and lavender pastille flavors and a subtle touch of blood orange. Closes smooth and long, with a whisper of tannins and strong mineral cut. This wine is a poster child for the blend of power and elegance that marks a great Gigondas.
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Cut from the same cloth, the 2015 Gigondas Racines offers darker fruits, as well as more minerality, yet is slightly closed and needs 2-3 years of bottle age. Garrigue, black cherries, currants, scorched earth, and licorice all flow to a full-bodied Gigondas that has ripe tannin and terrific length. It’s a classic beauty well worth your time and money.
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Bright ruby. Spicy and energetic on the nose, displaying intense red and dark berry scents and suggestions of candied flowers and garrigue. Spicy, tightly focused raspberry and bitter cherry flavors deepen and spread out slowly, picking up a subtle licorice nuance. Shows very good energy and mineral-driven thrust on the clinging finish, which is framed by dusty, harmonious tannins.
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