2020 Château Gigognan "Bois des Moines" Côtes-du-Rhône Villages

Staff Reviews

KM

Keith Mabry

Keith Mabry

K&L Buyer

Review Date: 10/2024

On the southside of Gigognan's estate are most of the winery’s oldest vines. These are in the Cotes-du-Rhone Villages appellation and if we were talking about them pre-appellation controlee, they would be considered Chateauneuf. But lines were drawn and sadly this area was left out, so with the "Bois des Moines" you get Chateauneuf quality for half the price. Lots of marl and clay lie under the galets here and the wine has a stout blackberry fruit profile but with notes of garrigue and licorice. It is supple on the palate and should drink beautifully for many years to come.

Notes

The estate at Château Gigognan has a history stretching back to Roman times, eventually becoming the property of the bishops of Avignon. More recently, the estate was acquired by Anne and Jacques Callet, who over the last few decades completely rebuilt the winery, restoring the château and replanting where necessary. Slowly they acquired additional parcels, and now the domaine includes 30 hectares in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, In 2012, consulting winemaker Philippe Cambie helped out, and in 2017 the property was bought by Jean-Francois Henin, with famed winemaker Stéphane Derenoncourt was brought in to consult.