St. Francois Xavier - Gigondas 2016

St. Francois Xavier - Gigondas 2016

NZD$45.00
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Description

Its juicy, racy, harmonious, fresh character, with particularly well defined and integrated tannins, clearly distinguishes it from the other vintages of the estate. A constant distinction despite the nuances of expression typical of each vintage. Its capacity to evolve harmoniously in time allows it to gain in complexity without losing anything this frame of freshness and race that characterizes it.

Grape Grenache 70%, Syrah 30%

Food match Casseroles, game dishes and barbequed meat

--------THE PRODUCER--------

St. Francois Xavier

The Domaine Saint François Xavier was created in the early 20th century by François Xavier Lambert in Gigondas at the heart of the Dentelles de Montmirail. Today, the domaine is run by the Gras family, and it is only recently that Jean-François and Christian Gras decided to bottle their own wines.

The 28 hectares of vines are planted to 70% Grenache Noir, 15% Syrah, and 15% Mourvedre on the typical red alluvial clay that gives depth and richness to the wines of the area. Grapes are grown using the “lutte raisonnée” methodology that limits the use of interventions in the vineyards, and vinification is traditional.

 

--------THE GRAPE--------

Syrah/Shiraz

Both Syrah or Shiraz is the name given to this grape varietal depending on where you are in the world. In France, particularly in the Rhone Valley, it goes by the name of Syrah and it makes the floral reds of Hermitage, Cornas, St Joseph and Cote Rôtie. Whereas in Australia, particularly in the Barossa Valley, it is Shiraz and it produces bolder, spicier and oaky red wines.

 

--------THE REGION--------

Gigondas

Gigondas is a village in the southern Rhône valley and an appellation for red and rosé wines. Both colours are made from up to 80 percent Grenache, with at least 15 percent comprising Syrah and Mourvèdre. Any Gigondas wine may have a maximum of 10 percent of any variety sanctioned by the standard red Côtes du Rhône appellation laws, with the exception of  Carignan. 

The resulting style of wine made under the appellation is often likened to that of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, just 17 kilometers (10 miles) to the southwest. Red wines are typically bold, forward, ripe and relatively high in alcohol – in fact, the appellation laws require a minimum alcohol level of 12.5 percent, one of the highest stipulated for French red wine. The best examples can certainly match many bottlings from its more famous neighbour.