Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Galimardes Giraud (Domaine) 2016

Lot presentation

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Galimardes Giraud (Domaine) 2016

The wine

Les Gallimardes is a plot located south of the appellation that has always been part of the family domain. It is blessed with the typical terroir of Châteauneuf-du-Pape as the soil is composed of rolled pebbles which, during the night, restore the heat stored during the day. This source of heat is beneficial to the concentration of the grapes. The grumes are picked in two stages to allow the grapes to ripen to the maximum. The quality of the grapes is very controlled: firstly on the spot and secondly in the cellar. Gentle extraction methods are used and fermentation lasts about three weeks with a reduced temperature in the first few days. Depending on the grape variety, ageing takes place in concrete vats (Grenache) or in Bordeaux barriques (Syrah). In order to maintain the intensity of the aromas, the wines are neither filtered nor fined before bottling. The ageing potential of this cuvée is edifying: 25 years! And even over the years, the hue retains its beautiful blood-red glow, its nose remains elegant (with fruity aromas) and its palate continues to be powerful, creamy and extremely smooth.

About the Producer Domaine Giraud

Pierre Giraud and his wife Mireille, the parents of François and Marie who now run the domaine, set up shop in 1974 on rented land. Pierre's mother, Eliane was an Armenier, a family of winemakers based in Châteauneuf for six centuries (known today as Domaine de Marcoux). To begin with, the Girauds sold their grapes to negoçiants but in 1982 they took the plunge and built their own winery. In 1987, the four members of the family shared out the vines and Mireille and Pierre also inherited another eight hectares of vines, some aged over 100 years. It was only in 1998 that Pierre Giraud started bottling and selling his wine and Domaine Giraud was born. Mireille and Pierre began their oenology studies this same year too and over time, with the help of their parents, they took over the running of the domaine. In 2001, the family invested in new equipment for the vinifications. The now 19 hectares are spread out over the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation in the La Crau, Les Terres Blanches, Les Gallimardes and Pignan (close to Rayas) lieux-dits.

Detailed characteristics