Juin 2008, rendez vous avec James Molesworth / Wine Spectator
06.01.2009 - Evènements
Wine Spectator, mai 2008.
Pierre Amadieu - Gigondas - Domaine Grand Romane Gigondas 2005 : 91 /100
Pierre Amadieu - Gigondas - Grande Réserve 2005 : 91 /100
Pierre Amadieu - Gigondas - Romane Machotte 2005 : 89 /100
Après plusieurs articles parus dans le Wine Spectator, James Molesworth, rédacteur en chef, nous a fait l'honneur de sa visite, fin juin.
Extrait de son blog :
" Pierre Amadieu is a close friend of Barruol, and the current head of Gigondas' largest vineyard holder, with 130 hectares of vines (a total that represents 11 percent of the appellation). Pierre's grandfather started the company in 1929 with just 9 hectares of vines. As the business grew, the elder Amadieu bought a 128-hectare parcel of land, mostly wooded hillsides and olive groves, which he eventually converted to vineyards. Quietly serious, the younger Amadieu, 41, joined the family-run company in 1990, after a stage at Château La Nerthe with Alain Dugas. There is both estate and négociant production here, and as with the St.-Cosme operation, the Gigondas cuvées all are estate wines. Production totals 40,000 cases of Gigondas and 10,000 cases of the négociant line.
The 2006 Gigondas Romane Machotte represents the bulk of the production, aged half in foudres and half in barrels, some of which are new. The grapes are destemmed and fermented in cement vats. The blend of 85 percent Grenache and 15 percent Syrah shows firm cherry, spice and cocoa notes. A step up is the 2006 Gigondas Domaine Grand Romane, sourced from older vine parcels that surround that estate's old manor house, tucked up in the northeast corner of the appellation. Made from 65 percent Grenache blended with 20 percent Mourvèdre and 15 percent Syrah, the wine is darker in profile, with an animal hint weaving through the black cherry and currant fruit. It's grippy, but not severe, and shows potential to be outstanding. The top cuvée, the 2006 Gigondas Grande Réserve, is a vineyard selection of old-vine lots that can change from year to year. Made from three-quarters Grenache with the rest Syrah, it's the blackest of the three cuvées, with juicy structure and a solid, slightly tarry finish. The 2007 selections represent another step up, with all three showing bigger cores of kirsch fruit and solid, grippy finishes that are very much in the house style.
With their large production volume but consistent quality, the wines of Pierre Amadieu offer an excellent introduction to the appellation. Prices for the wines are also very modest for their respective quality..."
