Domaine Giraud - Chateauneuf Du Pape Tradition 2019 (750ml)
Price: $59.00
| Producer | Domaine Giraud |
| Country | France |
| Region | Rhone |
| Varietal | Rhone Red Blends |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Sku | 1413260 |
| Size | 750ml |
Just to the west of town, this Domaine has since 1998 been under the stewardship of brother and sister team of Marie and Francois Giraud, whose lineage in winemaking on their father’s side stretches back six centuries. Their parents, Pierre and Mireille had started in 1974 as tenant farmers and gradually built up holdings of their own. The first bottled wine from the estate was produced from vintage 1981 after Marie’s family distillery was converted into a winemaking facility.
The estate – totaling 35 hectares - has extraordinarily well-situated vineyards of mostly old vines on the plateau of le Crau, Gallimarde and in the Pignan region. The Gallimarde parcel is particularly cherished, being a continuous block of 8 hectares planted with century old Grenache and Mourvèdre, in addition to some younger Syrah vines planted on soils richer in clay. The rest of the estate is spread across various parcels over the northern parts of the appellation.
The estate has been organic since 2011. Fermentation is in stainless steel and concrete tanks. Grenache and Mourvedre go into concrete tanks for aging, but the Syrah goes into French oak.
The cuvee Tradition is made up mostly of Grenache. The Les Gallimardes rouge cuvee is from an old parcel in the south that has long been owned by the estate planted to 100 year old Grenache and some Syrah, with several white varieties, planted on clay limestone soils, with each variety being vinified separately. Covered in galets, this soil gives a typically authentic Chateauneuf of power and concentration. The Les Grenaches des Pierre bottling comes from very old Grenache planted in sandy soils on le Crau and in Pignan. The wine is a homage to their father Pierre. The wine combines power and finesse.
Vinous: 93 Points
Vivid ruby. Spice-accented black raspberry and cherry aromas are complemented by suggestions of garrigue and succulent flowers. Supple and seamless in texture offering appealingly sweet and well-concentrated red berry cherry liqueur and lavender pastille flavors sharpened by a spicy jolt of white pepper. Finishes on a repeating floral note showing excellent clarity and polished tannins. Giraud's entry-level bottling has been going from strength to strength in recent vintages. -- Josh Raynolds
jdWine Advocate: 93 Points
Giraud's 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape?a mainly tank-aged blend of 80% Grenache 15% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre?is full-bodied and plush a velvety-textured whirl of black cherries blackberries and raspberries that finishes long with touches of white pepper and alcoholic warmth. At the domaine's 35-euro price it's a solid value that should drink well for more than a decade. Tasted twice (once blind) with consistent notes.
Jeb Dunnuck: 91-93 Points
Looking at the 2019s the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Tradition reveals a deep purple/ruby hue to go with rocking notes of black raspberries peppery garrigue wildflowers and spices. With medium to full-bodied richness the fresher elegant style of the vintage terrific concentration and a great finish it’s a terrific classic cuvée that’s going to evolve for 10-15 years. I’d be happy with a case in the cellar. (Drink between 2020-2035)
jd
