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2010 Domaine De Cristia Gigondas Vieilles Vignes

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Latest Sale Price

October 24, 2021 - $48

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RATINGS

97The Wine Advocate

...exuberant, perfumed, hedonistic character. Loaded with notions of black raspberries, peppery herbs, liquid violet and licorice, it doesn't pull any punches on the palate and is full-bodied, massively textured and decadent, with enough sweet tannin to keep it nicely focused on the finish.

97Jeb Dunnuck

...sweet blackberry and raspberry styled fruit, licorice, rolled stones, and assorted mineral qualities on the nose. Very full-bodied and downright decadent...plenty of class and freshness, with superb mid-palate concentration, awesome purity, and masses of ripe tannin.

96Wine Spectator

Very expressive, with layers of lush blueberry coulis, fig paste, currant confiture and melted red licorice all wrapped with toasted spice and coursing through the vivacious finish. A gorgeous display of fruit, with the spine to keep it balanced.

93Vinous / IWC

Aromas of cassis, blackberry, pungent flowers and licorice, along with hints of vanilla and woodsmoke. Deeply pitched, powerful dark fruit flavors show liqueur-like intensity and pick up a smoky nuance with air...finishes with excellent clarity, length and lingering fruit notes.

18+ Jancis Robinson

Very complete and satisfying. Sweetness akin to cocoa powder...very lively...very fine tannins. All pleasure... Edge of rose petal. So sweet!

REGION

France, Rhône Valley, Southern Rhône, Gigondas

The Southern Rhône Valley wine region extends from Orange in the north through the communes Lirac and Tavel in the southwest. The French call the region Côtes du Rhône Méridionales and it includes some of the best known appellations in France, such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas. The climate and landscape of the Southern Rhone differ significantly from the Northern Rhone. There are hot, often windy Mediterranean appellations near Nimes and the south, and higher altitude, relatively cool appellations such as Côtes du Ventoux to the east. Understanding the region can be confusing given that there are thirteen appellations and sixteen red and white grapes allowed for wines with appellation status. Syrah is grown here, but it is much less important than in the north. Grenache is the prominent red grape, though most red wines are blends of at least four varietals. Other commonly used red grapes are Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Muscardin. Counoise, Terret Noir, Vaccarèse and Syrah are also permitted. The primary white grapes are Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Bourboulenc, though Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne are permitted, as are Picpoul and Picardin. Of note is the Côtes du Rhone Villages AOC, which is only in the Southern Rhone. Though Côtes du Rhône AOC wine is made in both the north and south, the Villages appellation has stricter requirements for winemaking and is generally considered higher quality than simple Côtes du Rhône. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that “There is a vast amount of enjoyment to be discovered in the southern Rhône…for these are some of the most sumptuous and pleasure-giving wines produced in the world.”