d o m a i n e g i r a u d R e v u e d e P r e s s e Tradition Les grenaches de Pierre G a l l i m a r d e s

d o m a i n e g i r a u d R e v u e d e P r e s s e Tradition Les grenaches de Pierre G a l l i m a r d e s

domain e g i rau d NOV 2012 This estate has acquitted itself impressively over the last 5-6 years. It first caught my attention with its brilliant 2007s, which were followed by strong efforts in 2009 and now their finest wines to date, the 2010s. Domaine Giraud is an old estate that has been reinvigorated by the enthusiasm of a younger generation, especially Marie Giraud. They own just over 40 acres in various Chateauneuf du Pape terroirs. The 2011 vintage was successful... 2010 Tradition Rating : 94 points Drink : 2012-2027 The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition (made from the same blend as the 2011) is incredibly rich, concentrated and complex. The best value in their portfolio, it offers a dark plum/purple color along with copious notes of garrigue, pepper, licorice, black raspberries and kirsch. A super, full-bodied Chateauneuf with terrific purity and palate presence, it can be enjoyed over the next 15+ years. 2010 Cuvée les Gallimardes Rating : 98 points Drink : Unfortunately, there are only about 180 cases of the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Gallimardes. This spectacular wine is one of the vintage's most prodigious efforts. It has added complexity and weight since I tasted it last year. An inky/purple color is followed by notes of licorice, truffles, black raspberries, cassis, camphor and a hint of scorched earth. This dense, full-bodied 2010 possesses fabulous concentration a multidimensional mouthfeel and a finish that lasts nearly 50 seconds. It is an amazing tour de force from the Girauds and their consulting oenologist, Philippe Cambie. 2010 Les Grenaches de Pierre Rating : 99 points Drink : 2012-2032 Although it is extremely limited in availability, readers should not forget the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Grenaches de Pierre. This remarkable wine boasts inky, raspberry and kirsch liqueur notes interwoven with spring flowers, loamy, sandy soil, balsam wood and forest floor, and a full-bodied, multidimensional mouthfeel. The color is a dense purple, there is good acidity underlying the wine's tremendous opulence and voluptuous texture, and the tannins are sweet. It is another fabulous example of old vine Grenache that should drink well for 15-20 years. 2011 Tradition Rating : 90-93 points Drink : 2012-2022 The 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition is composed of 60% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 5% Mourvedre. The Syrah is aged in small barrels and the Grenache in tank. From 50-to-80-yearold vines, it exhibits aromas of creosote, bouquet garni, licorice, black raspberries and black currants. Full-bodied and lush with heady alcohol as well as decent acidity, this beautiful 2011 can be drunk during its first decade of life. 2011 Cuvée les Gallimardes Rating : 91-94 points Drink : 2012-2024 The sensational 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Gallimardes (90% Grenache from over 100-year-old vines and 10% Syrah) is one of the stars of the vintage. Dense kirsch liqueur notes intermixed with notions of lavender, black raspberries, licorice and loamy soil jump from the glass of this deep ruby/purplecolored effort. Full-bodied, expansive, round and generous, it should drink well for 10-12 years. 2011 Les Grenaches de Pierre Rating : 93-96 points Drink : 2012-2022 The limited production cuvee (300 cases) of 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Grenaches de Pierre is made from 100% Grenache. It emerges from a vineyard planted in sandy soils near Pignan and Rayas, bordered on the east by La Crau. A sensational cuvee, it is a candidate for one of the wine of the vintage. It boasts super-rich black raspberry and black cherry fruit intertwined with a note of incense and a sappy character that comes from these ancient head-pruned Grenache vines. Sensational concentration along with a wealth of fruit, extract and glycerin make for a remarkable wine that transcends the vintage quality. Drink it over the next decade or more. 2011 Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc Rating : 91 points The 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc, comes from the lieu-dit called Les Gallimardes, and is a blend of Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Roussillon and Clairette. Copious notes of tangerine oil, ripe melon, honeysuckle and caramelized grapefruit jump from the glass of this wine. Full-bodied with zesty acidity as well as purity, this gorgeous white Chateauneuf du Pape should be enjoyed over the next several years. Robert Parker 2012

d o m a i n e g i r a u d P r e s s e

domaine g i raud Pre sse Jan 2012 Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: Domaine Giraud Domaine Giraud CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE Marie & Fran çois G irau d, Vignerons Tél : +33 (0) 4.90 83 73 49 www.domainegiraud.fr

domaine g i raud Pre sse dec 2011 Domaine Giraud CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE Marie & Fran çois G irau d, Vignerons Tél : +33 (0) 4.90 83 73 49 www.domainegiraud.fr

domain e g i rau d OCT 2011 This morsellated estate, which has nearly 50 acres of vines (all organically farmed) spread throughout the appellation, has been resurrected and reinvigorated by Francois and Marie Giraud, whose cellars are in the northwest area of the village of Chateauneuf du Pape, close to Clos du Mont Olivet. Philippe Cambie, the consulting oenologist, has helped make this one of the up-and-coming superstars of the appellation. In top vintages, three cuvees are produced, the classic Tradition along with single vineyard offerings from the Les Gallimardes lieu-dit and a spectacular wine called Les Grenaches de Pierre from 105 year old Grenache vines planted in pure sand from the Grand Pierre lieu-dit adjacent to Chateau Rayas. A white Chateauneuf du Pape is also produced. The 2009 red Chateauneuf du Papes performed better from bottle than they did last year from barrel. 2009 Tradition Rating : 94 points Drink : 2011-2026 Made from an identical blend, the 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition reveals deep kirsch liqueur notes intermixed with raspberries, smoked herbs, roasted meats and hoisin sauce. Complex, with great fruit, a voluptuous mouthfeel, low acidity and sweet tannin, it can be consumed over the next 10-15 years. 2009 Cuvée les Gallimardes Rating : 95 points Drink : 2011-2031 The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Gallimardes has all the same characteristics, but is more forward and on a faster evolutionary track. Its dense plum/ruby/purple color is not quite as opaque as the 2010's, and its bouquet includes smoky, roasted meat notes intertwined with kirsch liqueur, lavender, licorice, pepper and layer upon layer of glycerin-imbued black cherry and black currant fruit. This almost larger than life, spectacular Chateauneuf should age effortlessly for two decades. 2010 Tradition Rating : 92-94 points Drink : 2011-2026 The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Gallimardes has all the same characteristics, but is more forward and on a faster evolutionary track. Its dense plum/ruby/purple color is not quite as opaque as the 2010's, and its bouquet includes smoky, roasted meat notes intertwined with kirsch liqueur, lavender, licorice, pepper and layer upon layer of glycerin-imbued black cherry and black currant fruit. This almost larger than life, spectacular Chateauneuf should age effortlessly for two decades. 2010 Cuvée les Gallimardes Rating : 95-97 points Drink : 2011-2036 The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Gallimardes blew me away. Made from 90% Grenache (from vines planted in 1905) and 10% Syrah (from 40 year old vines), it boasts a black/purple color along with a glorious perfume of kirsch, blackberries, sweet cherries, smoked meats, charcuterie and spice box. This rich, full-bodied, opulent blockbuster possesses good acidity as well as sweet, silky tannin. It should drink well for 25+ years. 2010 Les Grenaches de Pierre Rating : 98-100 points While no Chateauneuf du Pape Les Grenaches de Pierre was produced in 2009, the 2010 is spectacular. Its dense black/purple color is hard to believe given the fact it is 100% Grenache aged entirely in concrete. Deep, full-bodied and unctuously textured, it boasts off-the-charts richness as well as potential complexity. One of the greatest young Chateauneuf du Papes I have ever tasted, it is one of the few 2010s that eclipses what the estate achieved in 2007. The 2010 should turn out to be one of the wines of the vintage. Unfortunately, there are only around 250 cases made each year, perhaps even less in 2010 due to the loss of about 30-40% of the Grenache crop due to poor flowering. If you haven t discovered Giraud, it s time to jump on their bandwagon. Robert Parker 2011

2009 & 2010 Southern Rhônes Misc Reviews Vintage Chart (1998 to present) The Rhone Report is published quarterly by The Rhone Report, LLC, 12181 Crabapple St. Broomfield, CO 80020 (303) 524-2532 and is available via subscription only. The yearly rate is 59.99 and electronic subscriptions can be purchased securely via credit card at www.therhonereport.com. Copyright 2011, All rights reserved. Users of the www.therhonereport.com site may save and use information contained therein only for personal use. No other use, including reproduction, retransmission, or editing, of the information may be made without prior written permission of The Rhone Report, LLC, which may be requested by contacting Jeb Dunnuck at jeb@therhonereport.com. Limited portions of this newsletter can be used by the wine trade assuming www.therhonereport.com is credited. www.therhonereport.com Issue 9, September 2011 1

DOMAINE GIRAUD 2010 Domaine Giraud Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Les Gallimardes White 92 2009 Domaine Giraud Châteauneuf-du-Pape Tradition Red 92 2010 Domaine Giraud Châteauneuf-du-Pape Tradition Red 91-93+ 2009 Domaine Giraud Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Gallimardes Red 95 2010 Domaine Giraud Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Gallimardes Red 93-96+ 2010 Domaine Giraud Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée les Grenaches de Pierre Red 94-97 This brilliant estate is run by Marie and Francois Giraud and has vineyards in both the northern and southern part of the Appellation. They produce three red cuvees in addition to a single white, with the their Tradition a blend of all of their holdings, the Les Gallimardes from very old vines in the south, and their Grenaches de Pierre from a cooler terroir further north. The elevage is very traditional (although they pick late and the wines have excellent ripeness) with the Grenache aged all in tank, and only the Syrah seeing some smaller barrel. While there was no Grenaches de Pierre produced in 09 due to Marie not feeling that the quality was high enough, this estate s 09s are both fantastic successes in the vintage and should not be missed. Website: www.domainegiraud.fr 2010 Domaine Giraud Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Les Gallimardes (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape) The 2010 Domaine Giraud Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Les Gallimardes is a traditional blend of equal parts Roussanne, Grenache blanc, Clairette, and Bourboulenc that has only the Roussanne aged in oak, with the rest brought up all in stainless steel. Coming all from the Les Gallimardes liex-dit in the southern portion of the AOC, the wine delivers a decidedly fresh, crisp profile with notions of pear, honeydew, and lavender on the nose, a medium-bodied, beautifully balanced palate, and a subtle richness that builds on the finish. Excellent acidity keeps this focused and fresh. As with most Châteauneuf Blancs, this will deliver the goods over the coming 2-3 years, however, I think this has the stuffing and acidity to age as well. (92 pts.) 2009 Domaine Giraud Châteauneuf-du-Pape Tradition (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape) A fantastic base cuvee, the 2009 Domaine Giraud Châteauneuf-du-Pape Tradition is a blend of 60% Grenache, 35% Syrah, and 5% Mourvèdre, with the Grenache and Mourvèdre aged all in enamel coated tanks, and the Syrah in smaller Bordeaux barrels. Open and perfumed on the nose, the wine delivers loads of sweet raspberry, wild flowers, and red currant-like characteristics to go with a medium to full-bodied, richly fruited palate. The finish shows a solid dose of tannin, and this outstanding red should benefit from a year or three in the cellar, and drink well for a decade. (92 pts.) 2010 Domaine Giraud Châteauneuf-du-Pape Tradition (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape) Possessing loads of potential and a decadently ripe profile, the 2010 Domaine Giraud Châteauneuf-du-Pape Tradition will most likely eclipse the 09. Showing thick blackberry liqueur, licorice, and meaty characteristics on the nose, the wine is very rich and full on the palate, while at the same time holding on to a balanced, fresh feel. There s real depth here and this will most likely benefit from short to mid-term cellaring and age gracefully for 10-12 years. (91-93+ pts.) 2009 Domaine Giraud Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Gallimardes (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape) Always a powerful wine, the 2009 Domaine Giraud Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Gallimardes is a rock star in the vintage and is showing every bit as good out of bottle as it did out of tank. A blend of 90% tank aged, very old vine Grenache and 10% barrel aged Syrah, the wine yields straight-up fantastic, classic aromas of red fruits, black currant, licorice, rolled stones, and subtle wild flower-like notes on the nose. This is followed by a powerful, rich wine that s loaded with sweet fruit, a full, concentrated mid-palate, and sound structure on the finish. There s a lot of ripeness here, but the wine stays fresh and light on the palate. It should drink superbly over the coming 15 years. (95 pts.) 2010 Domaine Giraud Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Gallimardes (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape) A big, yet thrilling barrel sample, the 2010 Domaine Giraud Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Gallimardes, a blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah, with the Grenache aged in Cement and the Syrah in barrel, offers up a decadent, sweet profile of jam-like blackberry, raspberry, licorice, flowers, and rolled stone aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, concentrated, and mouth filling on the palate, with a rich, thick texture, sweet fruit, beautiful acidity, and a long finish, this has just a wealth of fruit and texture, as well as a decidedly youthful, fresh, yet full throttle personality. As with most 2010s, this will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and should drink well for 15+ years. (93-96+ pts.) 2010 Domaine Giraud Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée les Grenaches de Pierre (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du- Pape) Much more dense and compact than the Les Gallimardes (which never seems to hold anything back), the 2010 Domaine Giraud Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée les Grenaches de Pierre is 100% tank aged Grenache that comes from 100-year-old vines and the sandy soils of La Crau and plots near Pignan. The wine is stunningly put together and is a gorgeous, pure expression of Grenache, showing loads of minerality, violets, licorice, garrigue, and wild flower characteristics to go with black berry and cassis-like fruit. Full-bodied, pure, layered, and very well balanced, with ripe, sweet tannin and a powerful, yet restrained profile, this should be given 3-5 years in the cellar, and have upwards of 15+ years of longevity. (94-97 pts.) www.therhonereport.com Issue 9, September 2011

D o m a i n e G i r a u d C H AT E A U N E U F D U PA P E M a r i e & F r a n ç o i s G i r a u d, V i g n e r o n s Tél : +33 (0) 4.90 83 73 49 w w w. d o m a i n e g i r a u d. f r Domaine Giraud