Domaine Raspail-Ay - Gigondas 2022

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Dominique Ay is the wise elder of Gigondas in the noblest sense of the word. An illustrious president of the appellation for many years, he is one of the leading figures of the southern Rhône. With his in-depth knowledge of Grenache, he brings out the best in the clay-limestone soils of the Parties terroir. The aging process then takes on its full meaning, as the wines are refined in large casks for a minimum of 24 months. His children have now taken up the torch, with Anne-Sophie in charge of sales and Christophe in charge of the winery and vineyard, no less! With its timeless style, the estate's only wine is known for its longevity. Very powerful and structured, even firm in its youth, it develops a silky texture and perfect balance. The 2016 vintage tasted from the vat should produce a very fine bottle...

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About wine:

The 2022 Gigondas from Domaine Raspail-Ay exudes a deep and complex bouquet of ripe cherries, flowers, dark wild berries, and peonies mingled with soft woody notes. Medium-bodied to full-bodied, dense and concentrated, it has a fleshy fruit core framed by structured tannins and a long, delicately peppery finish. This exceptional and very mineral Gigondas is composed of 70% Grenache Noir, 20% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre. The Grenache and Mourvèdre were aged in large oak vats, while the Syrah was aged in used barrels and large barrels.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

The estate's wine is the archetype of a good Gigondas: full-bodied, vigorous, and unpretentious. Firm and tightly structured, the best vintages require four to five years of aging to fully open up. From then on, they develop beautiful complexity over time and improve over ten to twenty years.

Jancis Robinson

About wine:

Very dense nose—ripe red fruits, blackberry, and licorice. The palate is ripe and round, with sweet black fruits, firm tannins, concentrated acidity, and a hint of herbaceousness. Both flavorful and smooth!

Vinous

Jeb Dunnuck

About wine:

The 2022 Gigondas reminds me slightly of the 1990. It has a fragrant profile that is both elegant and ripe, with lots of aromas and flavors of sweet red fruits, sappy garrigue, and sandalwood, as well as floral nuances that reveal themselves over time in the glass. Medium-bodied and balanced, both rich and elegant, it should benefit from a few years of bottle aging and can be enjoyed for over 15 years.