"Continuing to deliver exceptional value for money, the red wines from Domaine Saint-Damien deserve a place on everyone’s Gigondas watchlist." - Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous
"These are brilliant, layered, textured Gigondas that represent insane values." - Jeb Dunnuck
The above comments pretty much sum up everything you need to know about the all-time best-seling Gigondas stunners from Domaine Saint-Damien. Year after year, they hit the mark with a track record that's easily among the most consistent in the Southern Rhône, and the newly arrived 2023s keep the trend going with monster 98-point scores from Dunnuck, as well as our customary razor-sharp pricing.
The 2023 Les Souteyrades (80% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre) is from 50- to 80-year-old vines on quarternary soils in the lower terraced section of Gigondas, which accounts for the wine's heady, exotic character. "It's another absolutely riveting Gigondas from this estate that readers should snatch up!" declares Dunnuck. Although not as widely known as Les Souteyrades, the La Louisiane bottling is no less impressive with its inclusion of small amounts of Cinsault and Syrah giving the wine a decidely darker "ultra-classic Gigondas style." From 50- to 85-year-old vines on poor alluvial soils speckled with red clay, the 2023 La Louisiane is "a brilliant effort that will stand toe to toe with anything in the vintage."
Best of all, these collectible-caliber showstoppers come in at remarkable sub-$40 pricing that makes it easy to stock up for the long-haul, as the track record of previous vintages suggests that these have a long life ahead of them in the cellar.
A bigger, richer wine based mostly on Grenache from a single parcel around the estate on the lower plain of Gigondas, the 2023 Gigondas La Louisiane shows darker blackberries and kirsch intermixed with ground pepper, sappy garrigue, and some meaty, spicy nuances that give this an ultra-classic Gigondas style. It's medium to full-bodied on the palate and has a pure, focused mouthfeel, ultra-fine yet building tannins, and integrated acidity. It's a brilliant effort that will stand toe to toe with anything in the vintage and should drink well over the coming 15+ years. Drink 2026-2041.
98 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Jan 2026)
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