Domaine de Longue Toque Gigondas 2018
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Jeb
Dunnuck -
Wine
Enthusiast -
Robert
Parker
Product Details
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2018 Gigondas checks in as 65% Grenache and 35% Syrah that was brought up in French oak barrels. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by a rock star bouquet of blackcurrants, black raspberries, camphor, dried garrigue, new leather, and Provençal spices. With medium to full-bodied richness, a balanced, layered texture, and enough structure to benefit from short-term cellaring, it’s a beautiful Gigondas that will evolve for 10-15 years.
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Wine Enthusiast
Coffee grinds and charred clove accent ripe, piercing black-cherry and plum flavors in this concentrated blend of Grenache (51%), Syrah (41%) and Mourvèdre (8%). Matured 19 months in French oak barrels, the toasty red also has a pristine core of red-fruit flavors. Framed in fine-grained, easing tannins and lifted by zesty mineral tones, it's approachable young but those charry, smoky oak tones should meld better from 2024.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Substantially different in final composition from the prebottling sample I reviewed last year, the 2018 Gigondas is a blend of 51% Grenache, 41% Syrah and 8% Mourvèdre. Fortunately, it's just as good in terms of quality, marrying elegant notes of garrigue seamlessly with mulberries and cherries. Full-bodied and supple, it shows just enough dusty tannins on the long, licorice-tinged finish to suggest aging up to a decade will be possible, although scarcely necessary.
Other Vintages
2017-
Wine
Enthusiast -
Jeb
Dunnuck
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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.