Team Argaux Favorite

2016 Domaine les Semelles de Vent Gigondas “Clos du Garde”

Responsibly Farmed
Hidden Gem
Classic in Style

This wine is produced from 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah cultivated on the slopes of the Dentelles de Montmirail mountains just above the village of Gigondas in the Southern Rhône Valley. Organic farming practices, hand-harvested, and only 208 cases produced. This is one of Margaux’s (co-founder) favorite producers. 

Grenache and Syrah (along with Mourvèdre) are generally the main grape varieties found in southern Rhône Valley red blends.

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Red
  • Tasting Notes purple plum, raspberry, orange peel, dried herbs, cocoa, cinnamon and cloves
  • Region France, Rhone Valley
  • Volume 750mL
  • Alcohol Volume 14.5%

$36.00

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Domaine les Semelles de Vent is run by Christophe Galon and his wife YuYen. While owner Christophe has been growing grapes on his family’s land in Vacqueyras for 25 years, it was only in 2009 that he took the leap and left the local cooperative to venture out on his own. 

Today, Domaine les Semelles farms their Southern Rhône-based vineyards—most of which are located in Vacqueyras, Gigondas, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape—all organically. Fruit is hand sorted, destemmed, and exclusively fermented with native yeasts. In addition to being a winemaker, Christophe is also an artist. He creates all of the drawings that go on to each of the estate’s beautiful wine labels.

The largest part of the domaine’s Gigondas vineyard is located on the northern and western hill slopes of the Dentelles de Montmirail mountains just above the village of Gigondas. The average level of the parcels is 350 meters high. These parcels organised in terrasses are surrounded by mediterranean forest like an islet in the middle of the wild vegetation. This particular location promotes the natural exchange between the different plants and the grapes. The soil made with blue and grey marns brings the sweet spices notes (cinnamon, cloves) into the wines.

Winemaking

His wines are made very traditionally, fermentation in concrete tanks then aging in old oak. The Grenache vines here are all over 60 years old, and the Syrah and Mourvèdre more than 40. The wines are bottled un-fined and unfiltered and are of outstanding quality. The house style is for very pure fruit and gentle extractions. Their Châteauneuf is extremely unique, being made from 100% Mourvèdre.

Vineyards

The largest part of the domaine’s Gigondas vineyard is located on the northern and western hill slopes of the Dentelles de Montmirail mountains just above the village of Gigondas. The average level of the parcels is 350 meters high. These parcels organised in terrasses are surrounded by mediterrannean forest like an islet in the middle of the wild vegetation. This particular location promotes the natural exchange between the different plants and the grapes. The soil made with blue and grey marns brings the sweet spices notes (cinnamon, cloves) into the wines.

The domaine owns just one parcel located near the Châteauneuf du Pape village area planted with 40 year old Mourvèdre grape variety. The forest and garrigue are laying on three sides. The soil consists of sandstone and rolled pebbles.The austerity of the young wines is balanced by the deep fineness of the aromas of musk, leather and black fruits.

There are different small parcels located all over the appellation Vacqueyras conferring a large diversity of soils. Nearly half of the vineyard is more than 60 years old. The oldest parcel was planted in 1920. The cuvée “Vieilles Vignes” is from the parcels with clay and stones giving some spicy notes as white pepper and fruity notes as cherry and morello.

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