Reserve Mont Redon Gigondas 2017

85% Grenache, 9% Syrah and 6% Mourvèdre, from 70+ year-old vines in two lieu-dits in the north of the appellation, in roughly equal proportions. Notre-Dame-des-Pallières is a south facing site at about 200m, whilst Pallière et Pied-Gu is north-facing and at 300m. The fruit from Notre-Dame-des-Pallières is fully de-stemmed, that from Pallière et Pied-Gu fermented as whole bunches and each parcel is on skins for about 25 days. Malo is completed in tank and then 60% of each parcel is transferred to 228L barriques for 16 months, before blending and bottling.

This first vintage of Gigondas by Pierre Fabre and his team at Mont-Redon is a resounding success. Top notes of garrigue and spice overlay a deliciously voluminous palate of red forest berries. The tannins are fine and silky and the wine finishes long and clean with refreshing acidity. Remarkably good now and will cellar for a decade or more.

‘Dark, bright-rimmed ruby-red. Ripe red fruit, floral and exotic spice scents show sharp definition and take on garrigue and incense nuances with air. Sweet, seamless and lively on the palate, offering juicy raspberry, cherry and spicecake flavors and a subtle touch of vanilla. Clings with strong persistence on the sappy finish, which features supple tannins and a strong echo of spicy red fruit.’ (91-92) points, Josh Raynolds, Vinous, February 2020.

‘This producer's first Gigondas is a terrific debut. The 2017 Gigondas Reserve Mont Redon—a blend of 85% Grenache, 9% Syrah and 6% Mourvèdre—comes from the lieux-dits of Pied Gu, Pallière and Notre Dame des Pallières and was aged in a mix of lightly used Burgundian pièces and tank. Perfumes include scents of violets, lavender, cherries and vanilla, while the full-bodied palate is lush and creamy, ending long, with hints of cracked pepper and salted licorice. Drink 2019-2028.’ 91 points, Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate, August 2019.