If you're a fan of the Rhône Valley, you're likely already familiar with the story behind Domaine du Gour de Chaulé, who began producing wine in Gigondas in 1900. Across the last century, three generations of female owner/farmer/winemakers have earned the estate’s current status as an elite destination for handmade, devoutly classic Gigondas driven by perfumed, old-vine Grenache. In top restaurants in Europe and the US, it’s not uncommon for this to be the only Gigondas on the wine list, and the explanation is simple: While many other producers in this area continue down the rabbit hole of over-ripe, 100% destemmed, modernist “show wines,” Gour de Chaulé holds steadfast to a firmly traditional approach and deeply classic house style. These are wines built for the table and cellar, drawing energy from the distinctive soils of Gigondas, which contain significant concentrations of limestone along with alluvial sand and gravel.

Gour de Chaulé organically farms 10 hectares of Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Cinsault, with vine age averaging over 70 years old. All fruit is harvested by hand and fermented in whole clusters (an increasingly rare practice in this region). Granddaughter Stephanie ferments the wines in tank before racking into neutral French oak foudre for 18 months, before racking back into tank for an addition year-plus in tank before bottling. There is no new oak, filtering, or fining at Gour de Chaulé. They keep it old school! The cépage (blend) of this bottling is 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre, and its combination of high-toned aromatics, energy, and silken texture will have you thinking of none other than the legendary Château Rayas. Yes, it's that good!

Critical Acclaim: 

96 Points, Wine Advocate:

• “The most balanced and transparent wine in the range, the 2023 Les Jardinières is showing superbly this year. Unfurling in the glass with aromas of blood orange, elderflower, violets, peonies and dark cherries, it’s medium- to full-bodied, deep and seamless, with a fleshy yet vibrant core of fruit and beautifully integrated tannins. Concluding with a long, perfumed and ethereal finish, this is one of the vintage’s most complete and characterful renditions of Gigondas." (YC)

Why You'll Love It

• Overtly traditional approach is a Gigondas of incomparable terroir character, seductive fruit, and depth.
  
  
• Overflowing with chewy, meaty red and black fruit, rustic but perfectly integrated tannins, and a warm gust of wild herbs and dried flowers.
  
  
• this is a perfect snapshot of the classic Gigondas terroir, and a deeply satisfying expression of the Southern Rhône.

How To Serve It

• Decant for 45 minutes and serve in large Bordeaux stems between 60-65 degrees.
  
  
• Pair alongside a platter of slow-roasted pork shoulder, boiled and buttered potatoes, and a spring salad dressed with a tangy, shallot-heavy Dijon mustard vinaigrette.
  
  
• Drink now or cellar confidently for a decade +.