Xavier Vignon
Gigondas Red Rhone Blend
Gigondas, Southern Rhône, Rhône, France
Warm, rich, Grenache-heavy. Like all of Xavier’s ‘15s, it touches all the bases: ripe, tannic and superbly low pH. Saline. Lots of vanilla bean and grated hard spices. Classic. #xavier #gigondas #rhone
Warm, rich, Grenache-heavy. Like all of Xavier’s ‘15s, it touches all the bases: ripe, tannic and superbly low pH. Saline. Lots of vanilla bean and grated hard spices. Classic. #xavier #gigondas #rhone
Dec 8th, 2017
A very soft style of Gigondas, which I normally expect to be structured and highly minerally. By contrast, this shows a nose of moist stony earth and almost mulled plummy fruit. Smells older and more sedate than its 6 years. Livelier in the mouth than the nose would suggest. Lots of mineraliness and smoky underbrush notes. Very soft texture and good length. Lots of soft tannin. It went very well with grilled organic hanger steaks.
UPDATE: After two days under a vacuum closure, it was tired and showing oxidation. If you have any 2009, drink it up.
A very soft style of Gigondas, which I normally expect to be structured and highly minerally. By contrast, this shows a nose of moist stony earth and almost mulled plummy fruit. Smells older and more sedate than its 6 years. Livelier in the mouth than the nose would suggest. Lots of mineraliness and smoky underbrush notes. Very soft texture and good length. Lots of soft tannin. It went very well with grilled organic hanger steaks.
UPDATE: After two days under a vacuum closure, it was tired and showing oxidation. If you have any 2009, drink it up.
Dark ruby with a purple rim that doesn't show aging.
Fruity on the nose with cherries, licorice, strawberries, cranberries, pomegranates, forest floor, cloves, vanilla, earth and spices.
Dry on the palate and smooth, yet not as fruity as on the nose, with blackberries, red currants, black cherries, earth, vanilla, cloves and spices.
Full bodied with nice complexity, lots of finesse and great legs.
Medium finish with aggressive tannins.
A Very nice CDR
14.5% alcohol by volume.
Dark ruby with a purple rim that doesn't show aging.
Fruity on the nose with cherries, licorice, strawberries, cranberries, pomegranates, forest floor, cloves, vanilla, earth and spices.
Dry on the palate and smooth, yet not as fruity as on the nose, with blackberries, red currants, black cherries, earth, vanilla, cloves and spices.
Full bodied with nice complexity, lots of finesse and great legs.
Medium finish with aggressive tannins.
A Very nice CDR
14.5% alcohol by volume.
Maybe the worst Gigondas I’ve ever had. Just a mess. Totally missed the +15% abv when I picked this up. Hard pass.
Maybe the worst Gigondas I’ve ever had. Just a mess. Totally missed the +15% abv when I picked this up. Hard pass.
Dec 9th, 2023
Medium ruby color.
Aromas of raspberry, cherry, strawberry, spice.
Dry. Flavors of raspberry, cherry, cola, cinnamon, nutmeg, cocoa. Medium, smooth tannins. So flavorful!
Intensity: 5/5
Complexity: 3/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 5/5
Medium ruby color.
Aromas of raspberry, cherry, strawberry, spice.
Dry. Flavors of raspberry, cherry, cola, cinnamon, nutmeg, cocoa. Medium, smooth tannins. So flavorful!
Intensity: 5/5
Complexity: 3/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 5/5
The acid overpowers any of its redeeming qualities
The acid overpowers any of its redeeming qualities
Feb 20th, 2018
The ‘15 is terrific already. It’s grenache all the way, powerful yet nuanced fruit statement with a firm backbone. Nose delights from the first moment, blueberry and blackberry. Taste offers herbal layers, some spice notes and darker fruit notes. Xavier brings everything in this delicious Gigondas.
The ‘15 is terrific already. It’s grenache all the way, powerful yet nuanced fruit statement with a firm backbone. Nose delights from the first moment, blueberry and blackberry. Taste offers herbal layers, some spice notes and darker fruit notes. Xavier brings everything in this delicious Gigondas.
Jan 2nd, 2018
Big powerful dark fruit. Remarkably approachable now.
Big powerful dark fruit. Remarkably approachable now.
Dec 31st, 2017Dark fruit, tar, and cloves. Thin finish.
Dark fruit, tar, and cloves. Thin finish.
Oct 1st, 2017