Fourth and Church
Domaine Les Pallières Racine Gigondas 2018
Domaine Les Pallières Racine Gigondas 2018
Intense nose, blackberries, black pepper, red cherries, earth. Leather and blood on palate. Crunchy tannins.
Country: France Region: Gigondes Grapes: Grenache Noir, Syrah, Cinsault, Clairette
ABV: 13% Bottle Size: 75cl
Additional Information: Owned by the Brunier family (or Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe and American importer Kermit Lynch), the family make two cuvees per year: Terrasse du Diable comes from the higher-altitude, cooler parcels, while Les Racines originates from the plateau around the winery itself and includes the property's oldest vines. The domaine consists of a single 334-acre estate comprising 62 acres of vineyards and 272 acres of pine and oak.
Grapes from about 60% of the plantings are blended in the “Racines”. Blend is Grenache Noir 80%, Syrah and Cinsault (co-planted) 15%, Clairette 5%. Vineyards on Northwest-facing hillside terraces in the most Northerly reaches of the appellation at 250 meters.
Vines are on single-row terraces, to cope with the very steep slopes. The soil, which is partly covered by limestone is very shallow and sits on a highly compact layer of red clay. The higher the more scree.
Vines are 70 years on average. Grapes are hand-picked, with double sorting at the vine, then a third sort in the winery. Gentle crushing and selective destemming, followed by 25-30 days’ traditional fermentation in temperature controlled concrete and wooden vats. Pneumatic pressing, then systematic malolactic fermentation. Matured for 20 months in French oak foudres (60 hl).