Domaine Santa Duc - Clos Derrière Vieille 2018

Gigondas|Red wine|Organic

4.5/5 (10 customers)

94/100

Robert Parker

complex

silky

balanced

"A great bottle to cell!"

"Made from 80% Grenache and 10% each of Mourvèdre and Syrah, all grown in a limestone-rich vineyard, the 2018 Gigondas Clos Derrière Vieille is floral and resinous with herbal notes, and hints of stem that accentuate the mixed berries. Medium-bodied to full-bodied, it is silky and ripe yet lively, with great complexity combined with an admirable balance between acidity and tannins. It should age well for up to a decade.” (Wine Advocate 2020 - Joe Czerwinski)

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-20€

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Estate

Domaine Santa Duc

Vintage

Clos Derrière Vieille

Vintage

2018

Designation

Gigondas

Region

Rhône

Grape varieties

80% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah. Coteau de 300 à 350m d’altitude exposé nord-ouest ceint naturellement par le bois.

Terroirs

Cretaceous marl with limestone elements. Deep, brown, silty-clay soil, very calcareous, moderately stony at depth.

Viticulture

Certified organic

Grape Harvest

Manuals

Winemaking

Strict sorting, destemming, short and gentle maceration with light punching down

Livestock farming

18 months in new oak barrels

Organic

Yes

Eye

Dark purple

Nose

A light bouquet of tart fruits and delicate floral notes

Palate

Characterized by a crisp minerality and finely textured tannins

Serve

At 16-18°C

Open

To be decanted

Drink before

2030

Food and wine pairings

Pairs well with stews, gardiane...

More information at Domaine Santa Duc

More information at Gigondas

Bettane & Desseauve

Rated estate (2025 guide) 3*Stars (High-quality production, setting the standard in its sector)

About the estate:

Benjamin Gras follows in the footsteps of his father, Yves, and crafts with equal skill a range of deep, elegant single-vineyard wines, in which the purity of the fruit reflects a true obsession. A refined style, in which the wines sacrifice a bit of richness and concentration in favor of a very pure delicacy. In Gigondas as in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the wines have a distinctive style that will leave no one indifferent.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

Wine rated (2020 guide) 94/100 (An outstanding wine)

Rated estate (2024 guide) Recommended (Wine producer recommended by Robert Parker – The Wine Advocate)

About the wine:

Made from 80% Grenache and 10% each of Mourvèdre and Syrah, all grown in a limestone-rich vineyard, the 2018 Gigondas Clos Derrière Vieille is floral and resinous with herbal notes, and hints of stem that accentuate the mixed berries. Medium-bodied to full-bodied, it is silky and ripe yet lively, with great complexity combined with an admirable balance between acidity and tannins. It should age well for up to a decade.

RVF - The French Wine Review / Guide to the Best Wines of France

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

Rated estate (2025 guide) 1*Star (Up-and-coming stars or quality winemakers producing wines of a high standard—you won’t be disappointed when tasting the wines from these estates)

About the estate:

Yves Gras took the reins of this iconic Gigondas estate in 1985. He established a full-bodied, robust style that was nonetheless refined, and international recognition followed immediately. Several projects enhanced the estate: the restoration of Clos Derrière Vieille in 1994; and the acquisition of prime terroirs in Châteauneuf-du-Pape in 2009: Saintes Pierres, La Crau Ouest, Le Pied de Baud, Les Pradel, and La Font du Pape. In 2017, the arrival of Benjamin, the son, brought a new dynamic and a stylistic shift. The wines still display the same breed and power, but now possess more infused textures. They offer a palate with diffuse power and more graceful tactile sensations. The oak is also better integrated. The estate practices biodynamics; winemaking is carried out using indigenous yeasts, whole-cluster fermentation is used in part, and the wines are not filtered before bottling. The uniqueness of each cuvée led us to award the estate its first star upon its inclusion in the guide.

Vinous

Rated estate (2024 guide) Recommended

Jeb Dunnuck

Rated estate (2024 guide) Recommended

Customer rating

4.5/5

based on 10 reviews

Review by Mr. JACQUES R. Posted on 12/30/2023

It doesn't quite measure up to the "top-tier" wines, but it's still very enjoyable. It lacks a bit of intensity and depth. It's a pleasure to drink after a good aeration. Another tasting: everything is in place, the depth is there—very good.