When I lived in Houston in the aughts, I drank a few fragrant Cotes Du Rhônes from this estate, so I was eager to try their Giggie, even though I’ve grown tired of Southern Rhônes as the climate has warmed and Phillipe Cambie seemingly put a spell over the majority of producers. Well, this is a bit better than the typical blocky, heavy wines that seem increasingly prevalent there. It’s densely colored (of course), but the nose has a bit more elegance and nuance than the typical Gigondas estate these days, showing fresh dark berry fruit, really interesting almost chaparral-like garrigue/earth notes, warm stones, and meadowy wildflowers. In the mouth it’s dense, but a little lighter than the new norm thank goodness, with nice savory flavors and decent acids. Tannins are soft. It won’t make me forget Giggies from the early ‘80s, but it’s nice. — a year ago
When in limbo, take a trip to the inferno (or Danilo Thomain’s enfer d’arvier). If this is hell, then I think I’ll settle in for a toasty spell. Crunchy pomegranate, cranberry, blackberry, raspberry (so much bramble!) and dried alpine herbs on the nose and palate. Dark stones. Volcanic spice. Vivacious, hypnotic. — 2 months ago
2015 vintage. Nose not explosive but has the beginnings of a really pleasant aged Bordeaux bouquet-leather, dust, complimentary dark cherry. Light-medium body with waves of silky tannins on the finish. Expectedly leaner and much less body than the first label. Unimpressive and easily dismissed upon opening but started to show some class > 30 minutes. If you can open and let sit for a spell, a good introductory Bordeaux with pedigree for those uninitiated wine lovers since it lacks bombast and grip. — 6 months ago
Simply magnificent accompanying a filet with a sundried tomato and red wine reduction for Christmas dinner. 2020 was blissfully forgotten for a spell. — a year ago
Wow! Not sure if it was only the wine or the paring with our home made Dutch style savory macaroni (I know, sounds paradoxically) but the pairing blew our tops! This is why you drink wine. There is no such other experience to be had on this earth. Vibrant dry penetrating tannins in full harmony with dark fruit juice with under notes of tar and cedar took a hold of everyone of your senses. Kept you in a spell for minutes. Kept evolving. Ahh. Live can be great!! — 2 years ago
This one finally breaks the spell. Delicious. — 4 months ago
2018 vintage. That sumptuous Graves nose of herbs and chocolate milk. Light medium body. Petite spell of astringency with paprika, zinc and orange peel in the finish currently but it dissolves after twelve seconds or so and the aforementioned herbs come back into play on a lingering, subtle denouement. — 10 months ago
Wonderful wine. Drank with flounder and french green beans(spell check wouldn’t put the real name). Great fruit and Soft tannins. — 2 years ago
Romain Fitoussi
Under the spell of this Loire wine. The bottle was finished without difficulty. Deep purple colour. Rashed nose of frank cabernet: raspberry, black cherries, purple, slate mineral touch. We feel the solar character of recent wines (climate change) giving concentration and intensity, where only a few years ago the acid green pepper style could sometimes hinder. A racy and gourmet Cabernet Franc de Loire to drink on youth. Perfect with asparagus pasta or goat cheese from the region of production.
Sous le charme de ce vin de Loire. La bouteille a été finie sans difficulté. Robe pourpre profonde. Nez racé du cabernet franc : framboise, cerises noires ,violette, touche minérale ardoise. On sent le caractère solaires des vins récents (changement climatique) donnant de concentration et intensité, là où il y a quelques années encore les style poivron vert acide pouvait parfois gêner. Un Cabernet Franc de Loire racé et gourmand à boire sur la jeunesse. Parfait avec une pasta aux asperges ou encore un fromage de chèvre de la région de production. — a month ago