Tasting Notes
I am a fan of unoaked Gigondas as it can represent good value compared to neighbouring Châteauneuf du Pape. Gigondas is another 'cru' from the southern Rhône, the region's top level of wine, and this wine is a typical blend of Grenache and Syrah or Shiraz, though unusually this 50:50 mix has more Syrah than many other producers use. Grenache brings rich fruit and structure, Syrah elegance and perfume.
Domaine des Pasquiers has been in the Lambert family for three generations and is now run by brothers Jean-Claude and Philippe. Their Gigondas vineyard is a small 1.10 hectares in size and on a limestone clay plateau which adds minerality to the wine. Certified organic, this wine is fermented and aged in concrete tanks to avoid any oak masking the fruit flavours. Read about the Rhône crus and other appellations in my Rhône red wines blogpost.
This is a lovely perfumed wine; on the nose red and black fruits, hints of chocolate, truffles and warm spices. The palate does not disappoint with complex and concentrated flavours of ripe sweet fruits - raspberry, strawberry, blueberry - and spices plus that Rhône-typical herby characterthat evokes the local scrubland or 'garrigue'. Tannins are muted and soft for such a complex medium-bodied wine which brings a certain elegance. There is a long, complex finish; this is a fabulous Rhône wine.
Food Pairing
Drink with chicken, turkey, red meats (grilled, roasted or barbecued) especially lamb, game etc. Avoid serving it with very spicy foods as that could clash with its own spicy characteristics. The producer recommends lamb with thyme to match the herbaceous notes in this wine from the fragrant scrubland or garrigue.
Producer's Notes
"Powerful & complex wine with notes of jammy black cherries, white pepper and the 'garrigue'. Nose with spicy aromas. Beautiful structure, amplitude of fruit, tannins are present, the finish is long and spicy"
Awards
17+ Points JancisRobinson.com Oct 2020
"Tasted blind. A tightly coiled, not-too-expressive nose. Good fruit core with an elegant structure and firm tannins, there is a lovely dusting of black pepper and clove throughout the mid palate and a long, focused finish."
