Gigondas Sainte-Catherine Rouge - Gabriel Meffre

Gabriel Meffre
Gigondas Sainte Catherine 2013

AOP Gigondas Red

Awards

91 pts Vinous
90 pts Wine Advocate
13,5/20 Bettane & Desseauve
16/20 Jancis Robinson

Tasting

A deep aubergine robe, an intense black-fruit nose of plums and dark cherry and a full, intense presence on the palate. A thread of garrigue (rosemary, thyme, juniper) spice runs from start to finish, which is long and generous.

Food & wine pairings

This Gigondas marries beautifully with stews (Boeuf Bourguignon, Rabbit Ragou), grilled steak and soft, ripe cheese.

Detailed information

Vintage

Harvest 2013 in the Southern Rhône Valley was a very specific one due to a seriousshortfall in Grenache grapes caused by a cold and wet Spring. Fortunately, theSyrah and Mourvèdre grapes were beautiful. The yields were then very lowwhich always gives a nice quality and wines that will keep well. In this veryunusual context Gigondas was one of the more successful appellations of theSouthern Rhône in 2013 with deep wines balanced by a good freshness.

Grape varieties

Grenache noir, Mourvèdre, Syrah

Terroir

The vineyards are situated on marl limestone deposits of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, with a mix of sand and clay of the Tertiary era. The climate is Mediterranean, significantly influenced by the dry Mistral wind, a high level of annual sunshine and low rainfall, concentrated mostly in the Spring and Fall seasons.

Winemaking

The harvest is fully manual with a strict sorting of the grapes. Fermentation lasts approximately 3 weeks with temperatures limited to a maximum of 28° to 30° C. This favours an generous expression of the fruit and limits the extraction of harsh tannins. 35% of the cuvée is placed to oak barrels of one and two years for 11 months of maturing before being blended back with the vat-aged portion.

Service

Given its richness, it is highly recommended to serve at a cool temperature (14° to 16° C). Can be appreciated now for its youthfull livelyness or enjoyed over the next 6 to 8 years.

Degree of alcohol

13,5% vol.

Technical sheet HD label HD Packshot

Gabriel Meffre

Delicious and savoury from day one: this is the commitment of our Gabriel Meffre "signature" wines. For each appellation, and in keeping with the characteristics of the vintage, our know-how is recognisable through our experienced blending of "terroirs" and grape varieties and through our careful maturing, favouring purity of fruit and silkyness of texture. Already enjoyable in their first year after bottling, the Crus also have good aging potential.