Domaine Saint-Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes 2021

Domaine Saint-Damien is run by Joel and Amie Saurel and their son Romain who has now taken charge of the winemaking. The Saurel family had been tending vineyards for four generations, dating back to 1821, and until recently had been selling all of the grapes to negociants. In 1996 Joel resumed producing wine at the estate and in 1998 they brought on consulting winemaker Philippe Cambie. Vinification is classic with wines being fermented in large old cement tanks and aged in either cement tanks or large old foudres for the Gigondas. Domaine Saint-Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes is 80% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre fermented on skins for 5 weeks before ageing in large 50 hl old foudres for 12 months before bottling unfined and unfiltered. The 2021 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes is a normal blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre that’s from older vines around the estate, on the lower plateau of Gigondas. A pure, pretty, elegant wine, its medium purple hue is followed by notions of darker berries, violets, and ground pepper. It’s balanced, has fine tannins, and is just another fresher, pretty 2021 that will drink nicely in its youth. – Jeb Dunnuck The Finer Details Style – Red Wine Varietal – Grenache, Mourvèdre Country – France Region – Southern Rhone Vintage – 2021 Bottle Size – 750ml ABV – 15%