Gigondas Clos Derrière Vieille  2016

DOMAINE SANTA DUC

Gigondas Clos Derrière Vieille
2016

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
Country
France
Regulated designation
Appellation origine controlée (AOC)
Region
Rhône Valley
Subregion
Southern Rhône
Appellation
Gigondas
Varietal(s)
Grenache 80 %
Syrah 10 %
Mourvèdre 10 %
Colour
Red
Sugar
Dry
Producer's website

About this winery

Domaine Santa Duc was founded in Gigondas 1874 and is now led by 6th generation owner and winemaker, Benjamin Gras. After Benjamin received his diploma of oenology at the University of Bourgogne he spent time at Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and Bodega Vega-Sicilia learning from some of the wine world's most famous estates. The goal at Santa Duc has always been to produce top-quality fruit from impeccably tended vineyard sites, the style of winemaking has changed with each generation....

See the DOMAINE SANTA DUC detail page for more information on this brand

Product notes

The Clos Derrière Vieille (behind the old village hospices) is naturally fenced by woods. Slope from 300 to 350 meters of altitude with a northwest exposure. Very slow rippening of the grapes: shadowed on the morning, bathed by the sun until sunset.

Production notes

Hand picked with a very selective sorting, destemming, short and soft maceration. Soft punching-down. Aged in foudres and terracotta jars during 18 months.

Tasting notes

Each grape variety was planted on a terrace to meet its demand for water: Syrah in damp soils and Mourvèdre in stony ones, Grenache in transitional zones: 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre. Located 350 meters above sea level, facing north-west, this special location with 6.5 ha of forest and 3.5 ha of vines offers a breathtaking view into the Rhone Valley. On the limestone soils of the Cretaceous, the wine develops a fine bouquet of fresh fruits and delicate, floral notes, supported by mineral freshness and fine tannins. An extraordinary taste experience that fully explains to what extent nature and the environment can give shape to a wine.

Press reviews

Decanter

- 95 points -

October 2020 (Vintage 2019)

Palate coating fruit and very fine tannins in abundance. A highly structural wine, where the acidity, tannin and alcohol are really to the fore, the fruit buried within. I expect it to take on fruit weight over time however and grow into the structure. Full-bodied, fresh, textural and highly fragrant. Co-planted on limestone marls behind the village. 60% whole bunch, aged in Stockinger foudres except for 20% that is aged in terracotta amphorae.

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Wine Spectator

- 94 points -

February 2022 (Vintage 2019)

There's nice purity here, displaying a core of cassis and plum reduction notes coursing through, while light licorice, applewood and red tea hints run along the edges. Has a savory kick on the finish, with a subtle minerality lending length. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre.

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Vinous

- 93 points -

August 2019

Red Pure and racy in feel, this lets lively damson plum, red currant and raspberry fruit play out against a backdrop of lacy minerality and light savory and tea notes. Reveals a subtle singed alder thread on the finish.

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Jeb Dunnuck

- 92 points -

January 2022 (Vintage 2019)

The 2019 Gigondas Clos Derrière Vieille is more floral, almost tropical, with rose petal, strawberry, and peppery notes in a medium to full-bodied, balanced package. It’s lively and fresh, with an exotic style that should show more classic Gigondas character with 2-3 years of bottle age. Given its balance and tannins, it should age gracefully. 

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Vinous

(92-93) POINTS

September 2017

Deep ruby. Ripe raspberry, cherry liqueur, violet and a hint of garrigue on the deeply perfumed nose. Fleshy, appealingly sweet and expansive in the mouth, offering plush red and blue fruit flavors and a subtle note of candied licorice that builds in the glass. Becomes more energetic with air and finishes on a sweet red berry note, showing powerful thrust, harmonious tannins and impressive persistence.

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