Domaine Raspail-Ay - Gigondas 2022

Decanter

About the wine:

There is a slight hint of reduction upon opening, which softens with aeration—so decanting is recommended. It is fresh and taut on the palate, with plenty of tannins, so it needs time to open up. It offers velvety aromas of red fruit—very typical of a Gigondas in terms of its fruity character—and a long finish with a hint of saltiness. It is very tannic but should soften after a few years. The average age of the vines is 55 years. The Grenache was aged in old oak casks; the Syrah in barrels and demi-muids.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

The 2022 Gigondas from Domaine Raspail-Ay exudes a deep and complex bouquet of ripe cherries, flowers, dark wild berries, and peonies, intertwined with soft woody notes. Medium-bodied to full-bodied, dense, and concentrated, it features a fleshy core of fruit framed by structured tannins and a long, delicately peppery finish. This exceptional, highly mineral Gigondas is composed of 70% Grenache Noir, 20% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre. The Grenache and Mourvèdre were aged in large oak casks, while the Syrah was aged in used barrels and large oak casks.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

The estate’s wine is the quintessential example of a fine Gigondas: full-bodied, robust, and unpretentious. With a firm, dense structure, the best vintages require four to five years of aging to fully open up. From that point on, they develop beautiful complexity over time and continue to improve for ten to twenty years.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

This wine exudes understated elegance, with a subtle reductive veil gracefully lifting to reveal a vibrant core of pure red fruit, savory umami, and a delicate hint of lavender and violet. It is finely balanced, offering harmony and terroir without exaggeration. While already very enjoyable to drink now, it is nevertheless structured enough to age gracefully through 2030 and beyond.

Jancis Robinson

About the wine:

Very dense on the nose—ripe red fruits, blackberry, and licorice. The palate is ripe and round, with sweet black fruits, firm tannins, concentrated acidity, and a hint of herbaceousness. Both flavorful and smooth!

Vinous

Jeb Dunnuck

About the wine:

The 2022 Gigondas reminds me a bit of the 1990. It has a fragrant, elegant, and ripe profile, with abundant aromas and flavors of sweet red fruits, lush garrigue, and sandalwood, as well as floral nuances that emerge over time in the glass. Medium-bodied and well-balanced, both rich and elegant, it should benefit from a few years of bottle aging and can be enjoyed for more than 15 years.