B-21 Top Recommendation
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Fans of powerful, terroir-expressive Southern Rhone reds know to act quickly to scoop up these outstanding 2020 Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas releases sourced from old vine Grenache, declared some of the AOC's "great values in high-end wine" by Vinous critic Josh Raynolds and available in limited quantities at an exceptional price.
Located in the tiny hamlet of La Baumette with 15 hectares of organically farmed vineyards in the Gigondas AOC, Domaine Saint Damien was established by Joel Saur in the late 1990's, his family known in the region for over a century as growers of exceptional grapes. Taking the reins as winemaker since 2015, Joel's son Romain vinifies the cuvees in a traditional style, fermenting in concrete tank and aging in large neutral foudre for 12 months to preserve natural freshness and minerality while building tannic structure, allowing each distinct terroir to express itself. Sourced from lower terraces that enjoy the cooling influence of the Dentelles de Montmirail mountains, the north-facing 5.5 hectare Les Souteyrades lieu-dit is composed of mostly Grenache vines over 70 years of age with Mourvedre over 40 years planted on grey clay, the 96 pt. 2020 Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Les Souteyrades offering fresh, mineral-tinged fruit hinting of spice and garrigue with silky, integrated tannins. Planted on poor sandy clay and alluvial soils mixed with broken stones on the middle terraces with a south-facing aspect optimal for ripening, the low yielding 80 yr. old Grenache vines of La Louisiane are the source for the ripe and full bodied 97 pt. 2020 Gigondas La Louisiane, blended with Mourvedre and small amounts of Syrah and Cinsault that are vinified separately and earning the #3 spot on Jeb Dunnuck's Top 100 Wines of 2022. Blended from a mix of old vine parcels on the lower terraces with rounded stones, the 97 pt. Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes boasts spicy, vibrant fruit with ripe, textured tannins, a blend of 80% Grenache with vines nearly 60 years of age and 20% Mourvedre over 40 years.
Declared "an address to be reckoned with for savvy Rhone wine lovers," by Vinous critic Josh Raynolds noting they "rarely get the attention they deserve," Domaine Saint Damien continues to enjoy an insider reputation with unbeatable pricing to match, making these 2020 Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas some of the best long-lived values from the Southern Rhone. | 
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