In the 2021 vintage, Domaine du Grand Montmirail overcame the many challenges that Mother Nature threw at them to craft a wine that Robert Parker's Wine Advocate called "an excellent 2021 Gigondas." I agree with that statement 100%!
These days, highly-rated Gigondas' like this can command Chateauneuf prices, but that is not at all the case here. Not only is this very fairly priced, it could hold its own in a blind tasting against much more expensive CNDP's.
2021 Grand Montmirail Gigondas 'Les Deux Juliette'
Full-Bodied, velvety, and pleasure-bent to its core!
Deal Price: $29.99 and 25% off BY THE BOTTLE!!
Regular Price: $39.99/bottle
This primely situated vineyard sits on the southern slopes of the Dentelles de Montmirail, the jagged mountains after which the estate was named. The rugged conditions found in Gigondas used to yield rustic and burly wines, but times have changed, and the wines are much more composed these days.
Case in point is Grand Montmirail's silky and rich Gigondas 'Les Deux Juliettes.' Fourth generation vigneron Yves Cheron got his enology degree in Burgundy, and his training definitely rubbed off. Like a fine Red Burgundy, Cheron's Gigondas always exhibits finesse, poise, and polish along with a plush and pleasure-bent texture. Don't think that to mean that this is light and ethereal though -- there's still plenty of meat-on-the-bone, aka body and full flavor.
The estate's 2021 came in as a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 10% Mourvedre from old, organically-cultivated vines. Yves de-stems all of his fruit, ferments in cement with native yeasts, and bottles with minimal fining and filtering. No oak is used at any point in the process, and just a bit of sulfur is added just before the wine is cork-sealed.
When you get this into your glass, I guarantee it will bring a smile to your face. Medium to full-bodied, it smells incredible, with heady notes of kirsch, warm raspberry, dried violet, Provencal herbs, and spice. Smooth, supple, and silky, this is already drinking beautifully, but I suspect it will put on some additional complexity over the next 7 to 8 years.
Just in case you need another viewpoint, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate had nothing but great things to say. "This stunningly situated estate has turned out an excellent 2021 Gigondas Cuvée Vieilles Vignes. An assemblage of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre, all aged in concrete, it offers up gorgeous aromas of garrigue and ripe cherries, underscored by hints of dark chocolate and espresso. Reasonably concentrated and velvety in texture, this medium to full-bodied effort finishes long and silky."
This is without a doubt the best Gigondas value you'll find in the United States. Enjoy it with grilled or roasted meats or sip on it slowly by the fire on a cold WNC evening.
