Less garrigue-laden than some of the other Gigondas bottlings at this domaine, the full-bodied 2016 Gigondas Clos Derriere Vieille is rich, ripe and fruit-driven, offering fresh berries and cherries that pick up lovely hints of roses and tea leaves on the long, silky finish.
80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre. Partially destemmed. 350 m asl. Aged in 18 months in foudres and earthenware jars. Restrained red fruit on the nose, although the palate is much riper and more fragrant. Justifiably comparable with Pinot Noir in terms of flavour profile. Very elegant. Hopefully the nose will become more complex with time. The fruit purity is certainly very compelling.
Elegant silky and fresh, the wine feels just great on your palate with all its layers of licorice, spicy deep, red fruits and peppery spices. Long and intense, this is a super wine from Gigondas. The blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah is aged in a combination of old foudres and terra cotta jars.
Brilliant ruby. Aromas of ripe red berries, cherry and candied flowers, along with candied licorice and exotic spice flourishes. Broad, fleshy and sweet, offering juicy raspberry, cherry-cola and spicecake flavors and a subtle hint of succulent herbs. Closes with superb tenacity, steadily building tannins and a strong echo of floral pastilles.
Trademark Santa Duc freshness and purity with a swerve into darker-fruit territory. Plums and blackberries, dark, brambly herbs and woody spices. The palate is fresh, lithe and punchy. Really impressive. Drink or hold.
Technical Details
Blend80% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah
WinemakerBenjamin Gras
CountryFrance
RegionRhone Valley
AppellationGigondas
Alcohol14.5%
Shop All Wines Domaine Santa Duc Gigondas Clos Derriere Vieille 2016
Domaine Santa Duc Gigondas Clos Derriere Vieille 2016
Rhone Blends | France
WA93-95, JL95, VN94, JS94, JD92
New
$50.00
$37.95 | 750mL
SOLD OUT
24% off retail!
Too late, we are SOLD OUT!
"The Domaine Santa Duc has emerged in just over a decade as the number one estate for quality in Gigondas…Is this the finest estate in Gigondas?" - Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Many of you don't need the back story on this historic estate, but for those who are new to "the Duc", here is a bit of context. Through five generations, dating back to 1874, the caretakers of the domaine have demonstrated a respect for the land, with Santa Duc ascending to prominence as a pioneer of organic viticulture in the region and as one of the top producers, led by vigneron, Yves Gras. Today, the estate is run by the young and inspiring Benjamin Gras, who has now had the estate certified biodynamic (2017) and has continued to dial in all aspects of the production, including brand new amphorae, which a small percentage of the wines are aged in, and slightly shorter macerations with more emphasis on freshness and finesse than his father. In short, these wines are better than ever and in a world-class vintage like 2016, this should be in your cellar --- especially at our price.
When the Clos Derrière Vieille was acquired by the Gras family in 1994, it had been barely cultivated. The former dairy still lies stately within the middle of the vineyards. The vines are planted in narrow terraces meandering in dense rows along the steep limestone massif. The nearby hospice and church gave it its name: Derrière la Vieille Ville ("behind the old town"). On the limestone soils, the wine develops a fine bouquet of fresh fruits and delicate, floral notes, supported by mineral freshness and fine tannins.
Read the reviews below for data points, but know that this wine from the rockstar 2016 vintage is batting WAY above its average. Intense, finely tuned, bold and rich! ONLY 23 cases! While it lasts!
About the Producer
Rising as a pillar of quality out of the soils of Gigondas is Domaine Santa Duc, an estate that's history stretches back to 1874. Through five generations, the caretakers of the domaine have demonstrated a respect for the land, with Santa Duc ascending to prominence as a pioneer of organic viticulture in the region under the care of its indomitable vigneron, Yves Gras. The wines cultivated by Gras typify classic Gigondas - elegant, focused, polished. In his 32 years at the helm, Gras has branched out to nearby Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Rasteau, creating wines of exceptional balance and quality. Gras seamlessly integrates fruit born from two distinct soil types into harmonious cuvees that are representative of the unique terroir of the Southern Rhone Valley. In working only with indigenous yeasts and bottling without filtration, Gras executes with a simplicity that leads to purity of expression in his wines.
