2019 Domaine des Bosquets, Gigondas Reserve, 6x750ml

Critics Score: 93

Publication: Jeb Dunnuck

Drinking Dates: 2022-2034

Home to the first Gigondas vines in 1376, Domaine des Bosquets now has 26 hectares of vines (up to 75 years old) lying directly under the Dentelles de Montmirail, the imposing 350 metre-high rock formation that is visible from almost all of the Southern Rhône. The resulting wines have freshness and balance from the high altitude as well as a powerful fruit character from the warm Southern sun.

The vineyards are planted with a west to northwest exposure on a mixture of limestone marls and sandy soils. The vineayrds are at a high altitude with an average elevation of 350 metres above sea level, resulting in freshness in the finished wines.

The grapes were handpicked and very carefully sorted in both the vineyard and the winery. Each plot was vinified separately. The winemaking lasted approximately one month with three phrases: a cold soak with pumping over, alcoholic fermentation at 28°C with a mix of pumping over and punching down, and maceration on lees. Malolactic fermentation ended in mid-November. The wine was aged for 18 months in two stages. For the first 12 months, the parcels were aged separately, with Syrah in 228 litres oak barrels, Grenache in demi-muids of 500/600 litres and the Mourvedre and Cinsault in 228 litre oak barrels. This was followed by six months of ageing together in concrete tanks prior to bottling.