Bertrand Stehelin Gigondas 2017
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Robert
Parker -
Jeb
Dunnuck
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Blend: 75% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The dark-fruited 2017 Gigondas looks to be another successful vintage for this cuvée. A blend of 75% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre, it's full-bodied, with rich, ripe tannins, ample concentration, a plush texture and a long, licorice-spiced finish.
Range: 91-93 -
Jeb Dunnuck
Reductive and closed aromatically, the 2017 Gigondas nevertheless has beautiful depth of fruit and richness on the palate, with medium to full body, ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish. A blend of 75% Grenache, 5% Mourvèdre, and 20% Syrah, brought up in equal parts concrete tanks and demi-muids, my money is on it being an outstanding wine.
Range: 90-92
Other Vintages
2010-
Wine
Spectator
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
The Southern Rhône region of Gigondas extends northwest from the notably jagged wall of mountains called the Dentelles di Montmirail, whose highest point climbs to about 2,600 feet. The region and its wines have much in common with the neighboring Chateauneuf-du-Pape except that the vineyards of Gigondas exist at higher elevation and its soils, comprised mainly of crumbled limestone from the Dentelles, often produce a more dense and robust Grenache-based red wine.
The region has a history of fine winemaking, extending back to Roman times. But by the 20th century, Gigondas was merely lumped into the less distinct zone of Côtes du Rhône Villages. However, it was first among these satellite villages to earn its own appellation, which occurred in 1971.
Gigondas reds must be between 50 to 100% Grenache with Syrah and Mourvèdre comprising the bulk of the remainder of the blend. They tend express rustic flavors and aromas of wild blackberry, raspberry, fig, plum, as well as juniper, dried herbs, anise, smoke and river rock. The best are bold but balanced, and finish with impressively sexy and velvety tannins.
The Gigondas appellation also produces rosé but no white wines.