THE DISCOVER CLUB - JANUARY 2022
This month, for the Just A Taste Discover Club, we look to the lesser known neighbor (but no less iconic) of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas. Domaine Raspail-Ay hails from the 7th generation estate of Domaine Raspail. Today, Dominique Ay, alongside his two children, are leading the charge in quality for the small appellation of Gigondas in France’s Southern Rhone Valley.
DOMAINE RASPAIL-AY
2018
Winemaker: Dominique, Christophe and Anne-Sophie Ay
Region: Gigondas, Rhone Valley, FRA
Grape Varietal: Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah
Viticulture: terraced limestone / clay vineyards along the middle slopes at the foot of Dentelles di Montmirail
Method: aged in foudre for 24+ months
Serving Suggestions: decant 30+ min; serve at 60-65F
Age: drink or hold through 2028
Nose: warm, ripe red cherry and baked raspberry, licorice, hints of white pepper and lilac
Palate: chewy, limestone textures with a rich core of darker red fruits and slight gaminess
Finish: warm and long lasting with lifted but refreshing tannins and lingering vanilla and clove
ABOUT THE WINE
There exists quite literally a flood of wines on the market, and for many producers (or even retailers), the idea that you need to offer a bit of everything persists across the country. This concept is foreign to heralded producer Domaine Raspail-Ay of Gigondas. A neighbor to Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas was the first Cotes-du-Rhone village to be elevated to its own AOC, a promotion of prestige and recognition as producing some of the very best wines of the Rhone Valley. And there couldn’t be a more iconic vigneron than Dominique Ay. As the seventh generation of Raspail, Dominique along with his son Christophe and daughter Anne-Sophie manages 19 hectares of clay and limestone terraced slopes just below the imposing Dentelles de Montmirail.
Even with this sizeable acreage (just over 45), they only produce one wine, Gigondas. All their efforts go into producing a singular cuvee aged for over 24 months in large foudre. The wine, while offering great approachability now, will relax its power and develop a more savory tone with many years of age.