One of the oldest properties in Gigondas, the estate vineyard covers 25 hectares and the winemaking in recent years has been in the hands of Daniel and Frederic Brunier of Vieux Télégraphe. The “Diable” plot is the highest on the estate, and long ago earned the moniker by being difficult to access and cultivate. The 2019 blend is 90% old vine Grenache filled out by Mourvedre and Clairette, and the wine is aged for 20 months in French foudres. In the glass, this wine offers aromas of ripe berries, plums with touches of cola and just a hint of garrigue. Then on the palate, it goes into high gear as the flavors expand and fan out to deliver lively berry and subtle thyme with some tannin and earthiness to bring it to a lovely finish. In a word: “delicious."
Domaine Les Pallières, Gigondas (France) 2019
By Norm Roby