2023 Domaine Saint-Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes

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KM

Keith Mabry

Keith Mabry

K&L Buyer

Review Date: 02/2026

Saint-Damien is one of my go-to Gigondas producers every vintage. The Vieilles Vignes delivers textbook regional character with tobacco, bay leaf, and spice layered over ripe red fruit. Delicious today, but those who can wait a few years will be rewarded with even greater complexity.

Notes

Domaine Saint-Damien is a historic family estate in Gigondas, farmed by the Saurel family since the early 19th century and now led by Romain Saurel, with organic certification since 2012. Their vineyards span several key parcels, including Les Souteyrades, La Louisiane, Le Gravas, and Clos de la Marquise, each offering a distinct expression of the appellation. These sites feature varied limestone- and clay-rich soils and a high proportion of old-vine Grenache, often complemented by Mourvèdre. In the cellar, traditional concrete fermentations and élevage in large foudres emphasize structure, freshness, and the savory garrigue character typical of top Gigondas. The Vieilles Vignes bottling is sourced from the lower terraces of Gigondas, where rocky alluvial soils contribute both power and lift. The blend is 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre from vines averaging 40 years of age, including Grenache planted in 1964 and Mourvèdre planted in 1977. The wine is co-fermented with an extended five-week maceration in concrete tanks to build structure and depth, followed by 12 months of aging in large oak foudres. It is bottled unfined and unfiltered to preserve purity and site expression.