It is a very elegant, opulent and rich wine. The tannins are silky and the length on the palate is persistent, an infallible sign of its quality and its potential for evolution
Appearance : Deep purple
Nose : Aromsa of black fruits, spices, coffee and cocoa. The marriage of the power of black liquorice with the fineness of violet is perfectly expressed
Palate : Velvety tannins soften down by the bottle ageing. On the palate, distinctive notes of tobacco and leather.
Advice from the sommelier : Best served at 18°C. To be paired with Roasted quails with cherries and balsamic reduction or Provencal Beef stew (« Daube provençale »)...
Grape varieties : 60% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, 20% Syrah, 5% Muscardin
Harvest : 100% hand harvest into small baskets with thorough sorting of the grapes.
Terroir : Age of the vines: 40-60 years The vines are located on three different types of soils: - Alpine Diluvian large round stones (famously known as “galets roulés”), giving the wines backbone and structure; - Urgonian limestones, essential for minerality; - Sandy-clay soils from the Miocène, for finesse and elegance. The plurality of these terroirs give the wines both very good balance and complexity. Exposure: Mostly South-West Altitude: 40-100 meters
Winemaking : After having undergone an extremely thorough selection on the sorting table, which is the key stage at la Gardine for the future quality of the wine, the grapes are cooled down. Château de la Gardine is one of the last remaining estates in Châteauneuf du Pape to blend grapes before vinification, which is the traditional way of making wine in the region. A synergy between the varieties arises during the winemaking. While Grenache is the heart of the mixture, Syrah enhances wonderfully the aromatic potential. Moreover, Syrah neutralizes the tendency towards premature oxidation of the Grenache grapes. The final balance of the wine would not be nearly as good if the different varieties of grapes were fermented separately and only mixed later on. Usually all the stalks are removed, but some can sometimes be left according to the ripeness of the stalks and the grapes. The cap of grape skins is treaded down twice at the beginning of alcoholic fermentation, followed by recirculation in large stainless steel tanks. After alcoholic fermentation, the wine remains on the dregs for another 5 – 10 days and is then transferred by gravity into concrete barrels for malolactic fermentation. Depending on the harvest, the wine ages during 9 to 14 months, 60% in vats and 40% in 1 to 6 year-old 225 litres oak barrels.
Potential of ageing : For those who want to enjoy the fruit generosity of this wine, drink now. For those who set the delicacy of silky tannins as a priority, wait a couple of years. For the most patients, this wine can lie down in your cellar, stored in good conditions, for 10 to 15 years.
Press :
2019 - The Wine Cellar Insider (2022) 92/100
Jeb Dunnuck 92-94/100
2018 - Guide Hachette (2022) : 1 étoile
Jeb Dunnuck (2020) 91/100
The Wine Cellar Insider (2020) 90/100
Decanter (2019) 92/100
Jeb Dunnuck (2020) 91/100
2017 - Jeb Dunnuck (2019) 92+/100
2016 - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate (2018) 92-93/100
The Wine Cellar Insider 92/100
Jancis Robinson 15.5/20
Jeb Dunnuck 91/100
2015 - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate (Oct 2017) 90/100
2014 - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate (Oct 2016) 89-91/100
2013 - Decanter Wine Magazine (Sept 2015) 93/100
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate (Oct 2014) 92/100
The Wine Cellar Insider (Sept 2015) 91/100
Guide des vins Bettane & Desseauve (2016) 16/20 + Coup de Cœur
2012 - Guide des vins Bettane & Desseauve (2015) 15.5/20
Concours Général Agricole (2015) : Médaille d’Or / Gold Medal
Jancis Robinson (Dec 2013) 16/20
Decanter Wine Magazine (May 2014) 95/100
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate (Oct 2013) 90/100
2011 - Guide Bettane & Desseauve (2014) 16/20
Magazine du Vin Jan-Fév (2015) 92/100
Jancis Robinson (Feb 2013) 17/20
Concours des Vignerons Indépendants : Or/Gold
2010 - Jancis Robinson (Dec 2011) 17.5/20
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate (Oct 2012) 91/100
2009 - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate (Oct 2011) 91/100
2008 - Jancis Robinson (Nov 2009) 15.5/20
2007 - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate (Oct 2009) 90/100
2005 - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate (Feb 2015) 90/100
2003 - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate (Dec 2004) 91/100
2000 - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate (Feb 2003) 90/100
1999 - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate (Oct 2000) 90/100
1989 - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate (Jan 1997) 90/100
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