La Bastide St Vincent 2021 Gigondas

The Wine

A blend of Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah (80% / 10% / 10%), the grapes for this wine were harvested by hand, allowing for strict selection of the grapes both in the vineyard and again on the crush pad. The grapes were de-stemmed and slightly crushed prior to fermentation in enamelled concrete tanks, as is the regional tradition. Maceration varies from 2 to 3 weeks depending on the varieties and on the vintage. This wine was aged in French oak barrels of 228 litres.

The wines of Gigondas are the most Burgundian of all the regions in the southern Rhône Valley. But within this over-arching style, the growers' adopt a plot-specific approach to create the best wine from the region's varied terroirs.  Its orientation to the west, its particular geology, and its altitude reinforce the freshness and finesse of its wines, without ever denying its southern origins.

The Winery

La Bastide Vincent has been a family estate since the 18th century and their vineyard holding now cover 57 acres across 6 villages, including 16 acres in Gigondas.

Their Gigondas vines are planted on 3 different soil types:

1. The main parcel is situated on steep mountainsides from the south side of the “Dentelles de Montmirail”
2. The second is at high elevation above the village
3. The third is from alluvial terraces.

The vines are over 40 years old on average, but some parcels have been planted for 60 years, so yields are low but flavor complexity is maximized, the family favoring quality over quantity. Grenache is the dominant grape in their blend, complemented with mourvèdre and syrah.