Domaine Giraud is a relative newcomer in the Southern Rhone, crafting its first wine in 1974 from 4 hectares of rented vines and producing its first estate cuvee in 1998 under second generation siblings Marie and Francois Giraud. Spanning over 17 hectares spread over 64 separate parcels across the appellation, Giraud's estate owned vineyards are planted with vines averaging 60-80 years of age in a diverse mix of pebble, sand, clay, and limestone soils, each parcel farmed organically with minimal treatments and managed manually from harvesting to sorting.
Sourced primarily from old-vine Grenache including parcels in Les Gallimardes and La Crau, the elegant 2020 Domaine Giraud Chateauneuf-du-Pape Tradition Rouge is a blend of 80% Grenache and 5% Mourvedre aged for 18 months in cement vats and 15% Syrah matured in used Bordeaux barriques and bottled without filtering or fining, crafted in a vineyard-driven style with "relatively simple, unadorned winemaking" according to Wine Advocate's Joe Czerwinski with fine-grained tannins that frame the intense, luscious fruit and predict a long and satisfying evolution in the cellar.
A small-production cuvee that wasn't produced at all in 2021 due to frost damage, the enticing 95-point 2020 Domaine Giraud Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Gallimardes Rouge comes from a terroir-expressive vintage "producing athletic, elegant wines of intensity and panache" according to Decanter's Matt Walls, an under-the-radar gem priced far below the region's higher profile estates and expertly crafted to reward savvy collectors with over a decade of pleasurable drinking ahead.
Offers inviting red currant and cassis flavors up front, layered with licorice root, fruitcake spices and charred mesquite. Though big-boned, this shows grace and polish, balance and finely cut texture. Reveals iron shavings and crushed herbes de Provence, which add a refreshing savory edge through a finish that goes on and on. Beautiful. Grenache and Syrah. Drink now through 2038. 70 cases imported.
95 points, Kristen Bieler, Wine Spectator (Dec 2022)
Coming all from a single parcel in the southern part of the appellation, the 2020 Châteauneuf du Pape Les Gallimardes is 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah. Its slightly deeper purple hue is followed by full-bodied aromas and flavors of darker, almost blue fruits, ground pepper, loamy soil, truffle, and Provençal garrigue. With a forward, charming, sexy profile, it has sweet tannins and the balance and depth to evolve for 10-15 years.
94 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Nov 2022)
The 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Galimardes aged for 18 months in a combination of new oak barriques and concrete vats. It offers up intense aromas of rose petals, very ripe red fruits, exotic spices and a dash of white pepper. Compared to the Tradition, the 2020 Les Galimardes has a higher proportion of Grenache, a little bit less Syrah and no Mourvèdre at all. The result is a massively concentrated, full-bodied red with a firm tannic structure balanced by lively acidity. What both wines have in common is their hedonistic appeal and age-worthiness.
94 points, Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous (Jun 2023)
A great classic with loads of damson plums, dark berries, mocha and sweet spices. Full-bodied with finely grained tannins and a rich core of berries on the palate. Creamy and well put together. Fresh acidity with a dark cherry-like character emphasizes the flavorful and vibrant finish. 90% grenache and 10% syrah. Drink or hold.
94 points, James Suckling (May 2023)
The fruit-dominated 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Gallimardes almost explodes with ripe cherries and raspberries. A blend of 90% old-vine Grenache (planted 1903) with 10% Syrah, it's full-bodied, juicy and supple, then turns softly dusty on the finish. This delivers plenty of pleasure and satisfaction, although it exhibits neither the depth nor complexity of the stupendous 2019.
93 points, Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate (Sep 2023)
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