A full-bodied, harmonious blend, not quite as aggressively concentrated as his single-vineyard wines this year. Very tannic still, and well balanced despite its enormous size. Long finish, saturated with thick, fine tannins. The oak is quite prominent for now, but there's enough fruit to match it. Will be good when it's ready. 70% destemmed, then vinified plot-by-plot. The Syrah is aged in recent-use (but not new) barriques, the Mourvèdre in old barriques and the Grenache in larger barrels (mostly old) and concrete. Then the wine spends six months in concrete tanks after blending.
Assembled from 14 different plots (each vinified and aged separately for the first year), the 2019 Gigondas boasts lovely aromas of garrigue, spice, orange zest, licorice, black cherries and raspberries. This vintage is about 60% Grenache (aged in foudres and demi-muids), with a balance of mainly Syrah and Mourvedre (both aged in smaller barrels). It's full-bodied, rich and velvety, with a long, softly dusty finish. It lacks the easy approachability of the 2018 but is more concentrated and should age particularly well.
Leading off the wines from bottle, the 2019 Gigondas Réserve is a beautiful wine that readers should snatch up. A blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and the balance Mourvèdre and Cinsault that was 70% destemmed, it has a wonderful array of blackberries, black raspberries, Provençal garrigue, and violets. Loaded with sweet fruit, deep, rich, and opulent, it has sweet tannins and no hard edges. Drink it any time over the coming 10-12 years.
This delivers a succulently delicious wave of crushed raspberry and boysenberry fruit flavors, laced with a lively anise streak and flecked with subtle spice and savory details through the finish. There's a nice underlying energy throughout as well. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Drink now through 2031. 2,500 cases made, 350 cases imported.
Technical Details
Blend60% Grenache, balanced by Syrah and Mourvedre
WinemakerJulian Brechet
CountryFrance
RegionRhone Valley
AppellationGigondas
Farming MethodOrganic Practices
Alcohol14.5%
Shop All Wines Domaine Des Bosquets Gigondas Reserve 2019
Domaine Des Bosquets Gigondas Reserve 2019
Rhone Blends | France
DC95, WA93-95, JD93, WS93
Organic Practices
$55.00
$34.95 | 750mL
36% off retail!
Truly one of our all-time faves, Domaine des Bosquets is a long-standing heavy hitter in the Southern Rhone! With 95, double 93, and 93-95 point scores, this Domaine des Bosquets Gigondas tastes as good as any CdP out there...and we’re offering it up for a stunning 36% OFF!
Domaine des Bosquets has deep historical roots in Gigondas. It was first mentioned as a vineyard site way back in 1376. Bosquets means “a wooded grove,” which is an apt name for this vineyard found high up in the Dentelles range – isolated and surrounded by forest and scrub. We love the intensity, savory complexity, and overall balance here – 60% grenache, 30% syrah, and the rest mourvedre and cinsault.
The most recent chapter of the history of Domaine des Bosquets began in 2010 when Julien Brechet took charge of the property. With little technical training, his brother, the proprietor of Chateau de Vaudieu, sent him to Chateau de Pibarnon in Bandol to begin his training before finishing his informal studies at Chateau de Vaudieu. Under Julien's leadership and with a small staff of six employees, he began to map out his terroirs through careful studies and micro-vinifications. Since 2015 he's converted the property to certified organic farming and has begun implementing biodynamics, as well.
This is classically made baby-Châteauneuf that packs some serious weight! Fourteen different components are vinified and aged separately for a year before blending the lots together to create this cuvee. Seductive aromas of roasted herbs, black cherries, blood orange, licorice, and crushed raspberries lure you into the glass, matching with a palate that is densely structured and velvety to the very end. This should age gracefully over the next decade and easily compares with better-known Châteauneuf-du-Pape producers that are twice the price! This is an exceptional addition to any Southern Rhone collection. 95 POINTS and OVER 35% OFF! Grab yours while it lasts!
About the Producer
After learning the ropes for a few years with his brother at Chateau Vaudieu, Julien Brechet has been running the Domaine des Bosquets since 2010. And yet, his family’s ties to the historic estate can be traced back to 1674! The family had previously sold the estate in the 1800s, but nearly two centuries later, in 1961, Julien’s grandfather, Gabriel Meffre, returned home one evening after visiting an auction house in Avignon. He handed the deeds to his wife, Juliette, saying, “Here…the domain of your ancestors is back in the family.” What a guy!
All sentiment aside, this wine is a revelation. This is rich, plush, and decadently smooth. Mostly grenache at around 60%, rounded out with nearly equal parts of syrah and mourvedre, this is classically-made, baby-Châteauneuf that packs some serious weight! Fourteen different components are vinified and aged separately for a year, before blending the lots together to create this cuvee. Seductive aromas of roasted herbs, black cherries, blood orange, licorice, and crushed raspberries lure you into the glass, matching with a palate that is densely structured and velvety to the very end. This should age gracefully over the next decade and easily compares with better-known Châteauneuf-du-Pape producers that are twice the price! This is an exceptional addition to any Southern Rhone collection. While it lasts!