Xavier Vignon : Gigondas 2023

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for the Gigondas 2023 by Xavier Vignon

Tasting

Colour

This Gigondas 2023 displays a brilliant, dense and deep red colour, a testament to the concentration delivered by the old vines from which it is made.

Nose

The nose is intense, dominated by notes of spice and garrigue, subtly lifted by touches of black fruit.

Palate

The palate is seductive with its creamy texture and roundness, supported by juicy tannins. The wine concludes with a fresh, long finish, the sign of a fine balance between power and finesse.

Food and Wine Pairing

This Gigondas 2023 will pair ideally with roasted or slow-cooked red meats, such as lamb with Herbes de Provence or a Provençal daube. It also goes very well with Mediterranean dishes seasoned with spices and aromatic herbs, as well as with full-flavoured cheeses such as aged tommes.

Serving and Cellaring

The Gigondas 2023 can be enjoyed now, ideally served at around 15-17°C, but it will continue to evolve favourably well beyond 2030.

An Old-Vine Gigondas Balancing Power and Finesse, Crafted by Xavier Vignon

The Estate

Xavier Vignon settled in the southern Rhône Valley in the mid-1990s, before founding his company Xavier Vins at the end of that same decade. A renowned consulting oenologist who has worked with numerous estates in the region, he now runs his own house, split between Beaumes-de-Venise and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, where he owns around thirty hectares of vines. His approach stands out for its detailed knowledge of Rhône terroirs and for notable technical innovations, such as ageing in total immersion.

The Vineyard

The grapes for the Gigondas 2023 come from more than forty high-altitude plots, located on the limestone scree of the foothills of the Dentelles de Montmirail. The vines, aged 80 to 100 years, benefit from a terroir where limestone dominates, giving the grapes a natural balance between ripeness and freshness thanks to the altitude and the influence of the Mistral.

Vinification and Ageing

For the production of the Gigondas 2023, the grapes are fully destemmed before being co-fermented, allowing an early integration of the aromas and tannins of the grape varieties. After malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged in a truncated conical wooden vat, a choice that helps soften the tannins without marking the aromatic profile excessively with woody notes.

Grape Varieties

The Gigondas 2023 blend combines Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah.