Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Clovis Saurel 2023

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

Made from very old Grenache (1940s) on sand and clay with cold maceration for 24 hours followed by a controlled ferment at 28°, including delestage and pumping over. Matured for 15 months in two 500 litre demi-muids (one Stockinger, one Chassin) and one 228 litre barrique from Seguin Moreau. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.

‘All Grenache, the 2023 Gigondas Clovis Saurel is a juicy, pure, medium to full-bodied effort revealing tons of wild strawberry and raspberry fruit, some peppery garrigue, white pepper, and crushed stone nuances, a focused, elegant mouthfeel, and beautiful length.’ (93-95) points, Jeb Dunnuck, May 2024.

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 1998 they brought on consulting winemaker Philippe Cambie. Vinification is classic with wines being made in large old cement tanks and aged in either the tanks or large old foudres for the Gigondas.

Today the estate is comprised of 17 hectares of vineyards of which 12 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.