The 2018 vintage is already described by leading journalists as being in line with its three predecessors: 2015, 2016 and 2017. We have gathered here the notes of our cuvées in this vintage, which promises to be ideal for next summer’s meals.
Indeed, they are supple and fruity wines that will go wonderfully well with grilled meats and ratatouilles – Provencal dishes by excellence! – served on the terrace.
Our 2018 by...
Cairanne Les Hautes Rives rouge 2018 – 89-91/100
The 2018 Cairanne les Hautes Rives looks very promising, with its scents of cola, black cherries and spice. It’s dark, earthy and supple, medium to fullbodied, rich and velvety.
Gigondas Romane Machotte 2018 – 87-89/100
An 80-20 blend of Grenache and Syrah, the medium to full-bodied 2018 Gigondas Romane Machotte is supple and nearly ready to drink, despite still being in oak. Cherries and peaches round out this plush-textured wine that lingers on the finish.
Gigondas Domaine Grand Romane 2018 – 91-94/100
Penetrating aromas of Bing cherries and mossy stones lead the way in the 2018 Gigondas Domaine Grand Romane, a blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre and 15% Syrah. It’s full-bodied, supple and round, fleshed out but ripe stone fruit, then it finishes firm and tannic.
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« The vignerons who were able to preserve their crops were rewarded with largely plush, sumptuous wines, many of which are delicious already. » Joe Czerwinski
“the vintage’s large amount of moisture in the spring mixed with plenty of summer heat and good conditions at harvest resulted in ripe, fleshy, elegant wines. However, the cooler nighttime temperatures in September have given the wines a vibrancy and perceived freshness as well as beautiful purity of fruit that makes them incredibly drinkable.” Jeb Dunnuck
Gigondas Domaine Grand Romane 2018 – 89-91/100
The 2018 Gigondas Domaine Grand Romane is charmer and shows the vintage style with its upfront dark fruits, cedary spice, and earthy aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied and nicely textured on the palate, it offers plenty of fruit and is going to drink nicely right out of the gate.
Gigondas Romane Machotte 2018 – 89-91/100
In the same ballpark, the 2018 Gigondas Romane Machotte is another ripe, forward, fleshy Gigondas that’s going to have plenty of upfront appeal. Complex notes of ripe strawberries, black raspberries, cedarwood, and dried garrigue all emerge from this medium-bodied Gigondas that’s ideal for enjoying over the coming 5-7 years.
Vacqueyras La Grangelière 2018 – 89-91/100
Always a charmer, the 2018 Vacqueyras La Grangelière is no exception and has plenty of red and black fruits, savory herbs, and peppery notes as well as a medium-bodied, supple, textured style on the palate that’s going to drink great right from the gate.
Cairanne Les Hautes Rives rouge 2018 – 90-92/100
Based on 60% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre, and the rest Syrah, the 2018 Cairanne Les Hautes Rives is still again all in tank and sees no oak whatsoever. This ripe, sexy, textured 2018 offers medium to full-bodied notes of strawberries, black raspberries, ground pepper, and dried flowers. It’s Provençal, supple, and again, beautifully textured.
Gigondas Domaine Grand Romane 2018 – 15,5/20
65% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, 15% Syrah. Aged for 18 months in oak. Cask sample. Tasted blind. Potent oak influence gives a strong spicy complexity to the nose, and leads the palate too. There is correct red fruit too, but it plays second fiddle to the oak. Aggressive tannic grip. Might settle with time ? Drink 2022–2028
Gigondas Romane Machotte 2018 – 15/20
80% Grenache, 20% Syrah. Aged for 12 months in old oak. Cask sample. Tasted blind. Dry, tart palate with simple fruit and light spicing.
Vacqueyras La Grangelière 2018 – 16/20
80% Grenache, 20% Syrah. Aged in old oak. Tank sample. Tasted blind. Well-defined red fruit with soft tannins and a slight iodine note on the finish. Reasonably light body gives this good drinkability.
“Cooler terroir such as Gigondas had an advantage in the summer heat wave 2018” Richard Hemming
« 2018 looks like yet another in a string of years that have delivered ripe, fleshy, fruit-driven wines with plenty of upfront appeal. » Josh Raynolds
Gigondas Domaine Grand Romane 2018 – 92-94/100
Glistening ruby-red. Pungent aromas of ripe cherry and dark berries punctuated by suggestions of smoked meat and vanilla. In a wild but controlled style, offering sweet cassis, cherry liqueur, allspice and mocha flavors that firm up quickly on the back end. Opens up on the long, youthfully tannic finish, which leaves sappy red/dark berry and spice notes behind.
Gigondas Romane Machotte 2018 – 93-95/100
Deep, brilliant red. A deeply perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red/blue fruits, incense and vanilla. A sexy floral nuance builds as the wine opens up. Offers sweet, concentrated raspberry, boysenberry, candied lavender and spicecake flavors that steadily become more lively as the wine stretches out. Displays sharp delineation and emphatic spicy thrust on a impressively long, floral-dominated finish that’s framed by supple, slow-building tannins.
Gigondas Domaine Grand Romane 2018 – * * * * (*)
Shiny dark red; the nose is broad, sustained, gives a concerted aroma of raspberry fruit with side notes of dried herbes de Provence – the fruit stands up well. The palate involves oaking on the attack, runs with well collected red fruits, mulberry for example, and tannins that have inner strength, real resolve. It has racy notes in a firm filling. Its bright approach appeals, and the aftertaste is well juiced. Good length, good shape here.
Gigondas Romane Machotte 2018 – * * * *
Shiny dark robe; the bouquet has a live air of blackberry, blackberry jelly fruit, with a little menthol, tea leaves in the mix, influences that lift it. The palate resounds well via its stylish, elegant black fruits, with purity in the fruit, and fine tuning in the tannins. The juice is well concentrated, and fluid at the same time, as it finishes. The length is good. This has good shape, will evolve nicely.
DRINK RHÔNE
John Livingstone-Learmonth
