Domaine Saint Damien

Domaine Saint-Damien is run by Joel and Amie Saurel and their son Romain who has now taken charge of the winemaking. The Saurel family had been tending vineyards for four generations, dating back to 1821, and until recently had been selling all of the grapes to negociants. In 1996 Joel resumed producing wine at the estate and in 2012 he gained Agriculture Biologique certification for the the vineyards of the estate. Vinification is classic with wines being fermented in large old cement tanks and aged in either cement tanks or large old foudres for the Gigondas.

Today the estate is comprised of 45 hectares of vineyards of which 15 are in Gigondas. All their vineyards are certified organic since 2012. The vines are an average age of 50 years and are very low yielding. The wines of Gigondas are bottled according to individual terroir (particularly soil type) known as the Saint Damien Trilogy.

2022 Côtes du Rhône Villages Plan de Dieu Vieilles Vignes
80% Grenache (1948), 20% Mourvèdre (2010). This wine is sourced from the lower terraced parcels of the Plan de Dieu lieu-dit, in the commune of Violès. The Grenache vines are over 70 years old and come from two sites, one planted on red clay and the other on galets (smooth river-worn pebbles). The younger Mourvèdre vines are planted on sandy soil. The wine is fermented for 30 days in concrete vats, then matured for 10 months in a mix of concrete tanks and large old 50 hL oak foudres. The wine is bottled without fining or filtration.

“The old vine bottling of Plan de Dieu from Joel and Romain Saurel is composed of a blend of eighty percent grenache (vines planted in 1949) and twenty percent mourvèdre (vines planted in 1978). The grapes are co-fermented in cement vats and aged in the same for eight months prior to bottling. To my palate, this is a baby Gigondas and is a superb value!” John Gilman, View from the Cellar

One of the bargains in the Saint Damien cellar is the 2022 Cotes du Rhone Villages Plan de Dieu Vieilles Vignes, which was being bottled on the day I visited the domaine. A blend of Grenache and Mourvèdre matured in concrete, it offers up scents of sunbaked stones and black cherries. Full-bodied and velvety textured, it's perhaps a touch warm, with hints of peppery spice and licorice on the finish. (89-91) points, Joe Czerwinski, May 2024

2021 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes
80% Grenache (1964), 20% Mourvèdre (1977) from several lieu-dits located on the lower terraces of Gigondas (approx. 150 metres altitude) fermented on skins in large concrete vats for 5 weeks before ageing in large 50 hl old foudres for 12 months before bottling un-fined and unfiltered. This typically shows very well from a young age with great balance and finesse.

”Vivid ruby. A highly fragrant bouquet evokes candied red fruits, smoky minerals and lavender; a spicy nuance builds as the wine opens up. Sappy and penetrating on the palate, juicy raspberry, cherry and floral pastile flavours show good heft, seamless texture and real energy. It finishes spicy and impressively long, with sneaky tannins adding a final grip. This is shaping up to be a highly impressive entry-level bottling, which is not surprising given that this is the only Gigondas that will be bottled this year, so all the juice from the Louisiane and Souteyrades is going into this wine. Get it, lots of it, if you can. Raised in neutral, 50 hectoliter oak foudres.” (93-95) points, Josh Raynolds, Vinous Media, January 2023

”The only 2021 I was able to taste, the 2021 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes is a normal blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre that's from older vines around the estate, on the lower plateau of Gigondas. A pure, pretty, elegant wine, its medium purple hue is followed by notions of darker berries, violets, and ground pepper. It's balanced, has fine tannins, and is just another fresher, pretty 2021 that will drink nicely in its youth.” (91-93) points, Jeb Dunnuck, March 2023

the following wines due August 2024

“All the wines are largely Grenache and destemmed, and aside from the Clovis Saurel, which is aged in demi-muids, are brought up in foudre and tank.
These are brilliant, layered, textured Gigondas that represent insane values.” Jeb Dunnuck, October 2023

2023 Cotes du Rhone Blanc
From 50% Clairette blanche blended with 50% Bourboulenc for freshness and acidity giving great lift and perfume and freshness showing a hint of saline freshness at the end. From a new vineyard purchased in 2022 in Buisson north-west from Vaison La Romaine (not far from Vinsobres). Whole bunch pressed and aged in large old concrete tanks to retain freshness.

2023 Gigondas Blanc
100% Clairette coming from the lieu-dits of La Louisianne and La Moutte both situated on the plateau quite close to the estate. Just 3 barrels produced for this first vintage. 100% aged in barrel, 2 from Chassin cooperage, both 1 one year old, and one 228L from Stockinger. Fresh perfumed and very pure the aromas are lifted by the ageing on lees and the very small impact of barrel. Fresh and fine.

This is the first vintage for the new appellation granted to Gigondas blanc. Clairette blanche must be minimum 70% fermented on its own or blended with the traditional Rhone Valley grape varieties grown in Gigondas (Bourboulenc blanc, Clairette rose, Grenache blanc and gris, Marsanne blanche, Piquepoul blanc and Roussanne). Two secondary grape varieties, Viognier and Ugni blanc, cannot represent more than 5% of the varietal range.

Currently, over 16 hectares have been planted with white varieties by some thirty companies, which is more than for Gigondas rosé (as per the computerised vineyard register for the 2019/2020 campaign). The dynamics and desire to move forward are tangible and a dozen or so producers aim to plant white grape varieties over the coming years, bringing the share of companies making Gigondas white wines up to 15% in less than five years time.

The sites produce clean, chiselled wines, mirroring the huge cliff faces that jut out from the Dentelles de Montmirail, the wooded uplands surrounding the village. Limestone, the common thread between a mosaic of complex, varied soil types, imparts minerality and freshness, a major advantage in an era of global warming. On the palate, notes of linden and acacia are supported by a long acidic backbone, creating wines that are sure to appeal to lovers of terroir-driven wines mirroring the landscapes of the places where they were born.

2022 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes
80% Grenache (1964), 20% Mourvèdre (1977) from several lieu-dits located on the lower terraces of Gigondas (approx. 150 metres altitude) fermented on skins in large concrete vats for 5 weeks before ageing in large 50 hl old foudres for 12 months before bottling un-fined and unfiltered. This typically shows very well from a young age with great balance and finesse.

”Possibly my favorite of the trio, the 2022 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes (80% Grenache and 20% Syrah) offers a full-bodied, incredibly textured, yet seamless and elegant profile to go with lots of meaty dark fruits, some classic Southern Rhône licorice, roasted herb, and spice box nuances, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It's another sensational effort from this estate, which continues to go from strength to strength.” (94-96) points, Jeb Dunnuck, October 2023

The 2022 Gigondas Classique Vieilles Vignes (not yet bottled when I visited last summer) delivers a fine balance of red and black fruit, with red raspberries riding atop black cherries. It's full-bodied, rich and concentrated, with a long, velvety and tannic finish. It will need a bit more time to come around than the more forward 2021. (91-93) points, Joe Czerwinski, May 2024

2022 Gigondas La Louisiane 
80% Grenache (1942), 15% Mourvèdre (1977), 5% Cinsault (1951) + Syrah from the lieu-dit La Louisiane opposite the winery and home of Saint Damien on the lower terraces of Gigondas (approx. 150 metres altitude) with very rich red soil. Fermented on skins for 6 weeks in large concrete vats before ageing in large old 50 hl foudres for 12 months before bottling un-fined and unfiltered. Typically shows well from a young age.

As in most vintages, there's a distinctive floral scent in the nose of the 2022 Gigondas La Louisiane. It's rose-like, adding a lovely flourish to the black cherries and black raspberries that form the core of this full-bodied effort. It's silky, ripe and long, with a hint of licorice on the finish. (93-95) points, Joe Czerwinski, May 2024

”The 2022 Gigondas La Louisiane is in the same ballpark. Mostly Grenache from vines around the estate, on the lower plain, it has a slightly darker profile as well as classic peppery herb, garrigue, earth, and floral hints. It's medium to full-bodied, with a layered, mouth-filling texture and a great finish. This broad, expansive, sexy Gigondas will shine right out of the gate.”
(93-95) points, Jeb Dunnuck, October 2023

2022 Gigondas Les Souteyrades
80% Grenache (1948), 20% Mourvèdre (1977) from the lieu-dit Les Souteyrades on the lower terraces of Gigondas (approx. 100 metres altitude) close to the Ouveze River bordering Vacqueyras with grey limey soil. Fermented on skins for 7 weeks in large concrete vats before ageing in large old 50 hl foudres for 12 months before bottling un-fined and unfiltered. Typically shows more structure and capacity to age with cool cellaring.

Roughly 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre from a clay-rich, north-facing site, the 2022 Gigondas les Souteyrades doesn't seem to have suffered from the heat of the vintage. Fresh red raspberries weave through its intriguing aromas, which include hints of garrigue and dried spices. In the mouth, it's full-bodied and concentrated yet silky and elegant on the lingering finish. (95-97) points, Joe Czerwinski, May 2024

”A gorgeous wine in the vintage, the 2022 Gigondas Les Souteyrades checks in as 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre that saw a lengthy maceration and will spend over a year in foudre. It's a ripe, powerful Gigondas with medium to full-bodied richness, notes of ripe strawberries, black raspberries, exotic spice, and flowers, a terrific sense of freshness and purity, fine tannins, and a great finish. Readers should snatch up this sensational 2022.” (94-96) points, Jeb Dunnuck, October 2023

2022 Gigondas Clovis Saurel
Made from very old Grenache (1940’s) on sand and clay with cold maceration for 24 hours followed by ferment kept at 28c with pumping over before ageing in 2 x 500 litre demi-muids (one Stockinger + one Chassin) as well as one barrel 228 litres from Seguin Moreau, for 15 months before bottling un-fined and unfiltered.

”The Gigondas Clovis Saurel is named after the founder of this domaine and is a selection from the best vines and terroirs.”

All Grenache from old vines, the 2022 Gigondas Clovis Saurel was still maturing in demi-muids when I visited last summer. While some vanilla was still apparent on the nose, adding a sheen of polish to the black cherries and black raspberries, this full-bodied wine comes across as exceptionally balanced and silky. Ripe and richly concentrated yet elegant and silky, with tremendous length on the finish, it's a beauty of a Gigondas. (96-98) points, Joe Czerwinski, May 2024

”All Grenache that's resting in used demi-muids, the 2022 Gigondas Clovis Saurel is another killer wine, with a huge nose of ripe strawberries, exotic blue fruits, spring flowers, and sappy herbs. This carries to a medium to full-bodied, layered, incredibly seamless Gigondas revealing integrated tannins, a terrific sense of freshness and purity, no hard edges, and a great finish.” (94-96) points, Jeb Dunnuck, October 2023