2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Gallimardes

The 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Galimardes aged for 18 months in a combination of new oak barriques and concrete vats. It offers up intense aromas of rose petals, very ripe red fruits, exotic spices and a dash of white pepper. Compared to the Tradition, the 2020 Les Galimardes has a higher proportion of Grenache, a little bit less Syrah and no Mourvèdre at all. The result is a massively concentrated, full-bodied red with a firm tannic structure balanced by lively acidity. What both wines have in common is their hedonistic appeal and age-worthiness.

Coming all from a single parcel in the southern part of the appellation, the 2020 Châteauneuf du Pape Les Gallimardes is 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah. Its slightly deeper purple hue is followed by full-bodied aromas and flavors of darker, almost blue fruits, ground pepper, loamy soil, truffle, and Provençal garrigue. With a forward, charming, sexy profile, it has sweet tannins and the balance and depth to evolve for 10-15 years. One of my favorite estates in Châteauneuf du Pape is unquestionably Domaine Giraud, and the team of Marie and François Giraud have turned out brilliant wines in every vintage I’ve tasted from them. In addition to their three Châteauneuf du Papes (classic, Gallimardes, and Grenache de Pierre), they also produce a terrific Vin de France based on Syrah and Mourvedre, and a fabulous Lirac that comes from sandier soils and is largely Grenache with 20% each of Syrah and Mourvedre. The 2020s here epitomize the pretty, balanced, elegant style of the vintage, and the 2021 from barrel should certainly be an outstanding wine.