2010 Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes

A blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvedre. Opaque black dark purple red colour with dark red purple hue. The nose is quite perfumed with aromas of liquorice and incense dominate over some earth and spice. Full bodied and rich the palate delivers concentrated liquorice and black cherry flavours followed by some meatiness with a peppery back palate. Chewy mouthfeel with firm, slightly grippy tannins with long liquorice, meaty earth and blackpepper aftertaste.
Cellar 5-6 years.
Alc 15%

Other Reviews…..
One of my favorite Gigondas estates is proprietor Joel Saurel’s Saint-Damien (now one of the appellation’s superstars). Saurel also produces several Cotes du Rhone cuvees that are nearly as good as his superb Gigondas. The 2011 Cotes du Rhones, which were bottled early to preserve their fruit, are about as good as Cotes du Rhone can be in this vintage. The 2010s are close in quality although not quite at the level of the finest vintage I have ever tasted from Saurel, his 2007s.
The superb, deep plum/ruby/purple-tinged 2010 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes is composed of 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvedre aged in both concrete and foudre. Aromas of blueberries, black raspberries and spring flowers along with a chalky minerality emerge from this full-bodied, dense, pure, elegant as well as substantial 2010. Enjoy it over the next decade.
91 points
Robert Parker – The Wine Advocate