Our Gigondas Domaine Grand Romane 2017 named #22 on the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2020!

We are thrilled that our Gigondas Domaine Grand Romane 2017 was named #22 on the Top 100 Wines 2020 of the Wine Spectator, the leading American wine expert magazine with 3 million readers worldwide.

This recognition encourages us to continue the work that our family and our teams have been doing for more than 90 years in Gigondas and in the Southern Rhône Valley.

The Gigondas Domaine Grand Romane was thought up by Claude and Pierre Amadieu at the end of the 1980s to create a blend around Mourvèdre from our high altitude vineyards. In its northern limit here in Gigondas, this sometimes capricious Provencal grape variety was introduced very early on by Pierre Amadieu Sr in the 1950s around the Romane house, despite the little interest it raised at the time. It took 8 years of reflection and selection of superb vineyards to produce this cuvée, which is now vinified by Jean-Marie.

The proportion of Mourvèdre (20%) present in this wine makes it unique among the various Gigondas of our beautiful appellation. It is blended with 65% Grenache and 15% Syrah, whose vines are rooted on our hillsides which are predominantly composed of sandstone limestone from the Upper Cretaceous period and sandy marls.

The creation of this cuvée is also based on an unusual ageing style: long and shared between new barrels (15%), old barrels (45%) and foudres (40%).

The combination of our terroir, the blend and this precise ageing process produces a powerful and elegant wine with notes of red and black berries, mixed with flavours of garrigue and liquorice. Its intensity is enhanced by a pleasant freshness on the palate, linked to the slow ripening of the old vines at an altitude of over 400m.

2017 was particularly dry and hot, and despite low yields, it delivered magnificent grapes with great concentration. We are fortunate to have seen a succession of good vintages in recent years, enabling us to produce wines of excellent quality. So, over the years, you have always trusted us for this cuvée that you all know, and it is also thanks to you that we have received this award.

This recognition is also shared by the entire Gigondas appellation and its winegrowers, who work together and will celebrate the 50th anniversary of our accession to cru status in 2021.