The grapes for this Gigondas L'Argnée Vieilles Vignes from Famille Perrin come from a 1-hectare vineyard planted with vines over 130 years old—pre-phylloxera! The yield is incredibly low, resulting in only 1,500 bottles being produced. But this also contributes to the high quality. One of France's oldest wine-growing regions is the Rhône region. It is divided into North and South. The northern region is known for its elegant wines made from the Syrah grape, while the southern part is primarily known for its fuller-bodied wines, centered around the Grenache grape.
The grapes are harvested by hand and subjected to a strict selection process. The grapes are neither destemmed nor crushed. After a short maceration period, temperature-controlled alcoholic fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks. After two weeks, the wine is pressed, and then transferred to oak barrels and barriques to undergo malolactic fermentation followed by aging. Finally, the wine is aged for 12 months, after which it is ready for bottling.
The result is stunning. A beautiful, dark, black-red wine. The nose reveals aromas of black cherries, raspberries, lavender, leather, and a hint of cedar. Then it's time to savor this unique wine. The palate reveals notes of ripe berry fruit, mocha, and black pepper. This is followed by a very long, lingering finish with refined tannins and elegant acidity.
