Domaine Raspail-Ay, Gigondas, Rhône, France, 2019

Overview of the Wine
Descendants and heirs of Eugène Raspail, the AY family has run the estate from father to son for 5 generations now. The family property is currently managed by Dominique AY and his children,  who cultivate the 19 hectares of vines that make up the estate, thus perpetuating the family history of the House.  The plots are in one piece and surround the Estate, itself located at the foot of the village of Gigondas below the natural barrier formed by the Dentelles de Montmirail. The soils are complementary, the clay-limestone bringing its sandy molasses and old alluvium with small pebbles favoring the maturity of the grapes. The grape varieties grown are the main ones of the appellation, namely Grenache Noir (more than 75%), Syrah and Mourvèdre, with vines 45 years old on average. The grapes are entirely harvested by hand, sorted on the vines and upon receipt, then entirely destemmed to ferment during long vatting (about 1 month) in enamelled concrete vats. 

The Domaine's wines are powerful, with an intense color, aromas of red fruits and a spicy bouquet; fleshy, generous and powerful wines; a Gigondas reflecting the Terroir and the Tradition of the appellation.

Grape / Blend
70% Grenache, 23% Syrah and 7% Mourvèdre

Origin
Rhône, France

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
This Gigondas is red in colour and powerful, adding cocoa, spice and a fresh touch of eucalyptus to its palette of stewed red and black fruit aromas (cherry, blackberry, blackcurrant).The fatness and the fullness of the flesh impose themselves on the palate, without the warm character detracting from this beautiful order.

92-94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
Not yet bottled, the 2019 Gigondas is another great wine from this team. Incredibly complex notes of garrigue, flowers, leather, and mostly red fruits define the bouquet, and it’s medium to full-bodied, has ripe tannins, and offers about as much Provençal goodness as you can fit in a glass. I’m a buyer.

92 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A blend of 70% Grenache, 23% Syrah and 7% Mourvèdre, all aged in old foudres, the 2017 Gigondas performed brilliantly, both in blind tasting and at the estate. Floral notes accentuate the red fruits on the nose, while on the full-bodied palate, darker notes of espresso, black olive and chocolate take over. It is richly tannic but ripe, with a creamy, velvety mouthfeel and a long, savory finish.

Product size: 750ml