Domaine Gour de Chaulé Gigondas '.1871' Tradition 2021
GIGONDAS
SKU: HAW-GourChaule-TRAD
Domaine Gour de Chaulé Gigondas '.1871' Tradition 2021
GIGONDAS
SKU: HAW-GourChaule-TRAD
Regular price
$4999
$49.99
Sale price
$4199
$41.99
Save $8
/
$38.99 on 6+ (code: 6saves3)
$41.99 reg
"I was deeply impressed by the latest wines of the tiny family-owned Domaine du Gour de Chaulé. The estate comprises 10 hectares in the Gigondas appellation, of which 9.5 are currently under production.....I can’t wait to see what the future brings here."$41.99 reg
- VINOUS, Nicolas Greinacher, August 2023
91 Vinous
The 2021 Gigondas Cuvée Tradition 1871 checks in at a moderate 13.7% alcohol. Cropped at 26hL/Ha, it offers shy red fruit aromatics but really comes alive on the palate. Solid flavor concentration flawlessly matches the energizing acidity, all tucked into a corset of gently sculpted tannins. The finish of this 2021 red is distinctively elegant. This spent one year in a combination of concrete tanks and foudres.
- By Nicolas Greinacher on August 2023
I was deeply impressed by the latest wines of the tiny family-owned Domaine du Gour de Chaulé. The estate comprises 10 hectares in the Gigondas appellation, of which 9.5 are currently under production. The energetic Paul Fumoso, the founder's great-great-grandson, took charge in 2018. Grenache represents most plantings at this certified organic property, usually making up more than 80% of the blend, with Syrah and Mourvèdre comprising the rest. During my visit, Fumoso expressed his intention to replace all Syrah and Mourvèdre with Cinsaut and Counoise eventually. They may lack the structure and color of the existing two varieties yet accumulate less sugar, contributing lower alcohol and much-needed freshness to his Grenache-led wines. Readers will not find white varieties here, as Fumoso isn’t head over heels for white wines from the Southern Rhône and prefers to dedicate his time to Grenache. Fumoso usually incorporates around 80% whole clusters, but in both 2021 and 2022, that number was reduced to about 30%, as most of the stems didn’t meet his quality restrictions. Of the 24 individual vineyard parcels, 21 end up in the entry-level Gigondas Cuvée Tradition 1871. Aged for one year in a combination of concrete tanks and foudres, mostly Austrian oak, the Cuvée Tradition 1871 offers a glimpse into the finesse-driven Gour de Chaulé style. The remaining three parcels are used for the two top-of-the-range single varietal Grenache offerings, the Gigondas Le Gour and Gigondas Numéro 8. Both wines are made in tiny quantities and raised entirely in 1900-liter (Le Gour) and 900-liter (Numéro 8) concrete eggs. I can’t wait to see what the future brings here.
My Tasting Note (on the 2022 .1871 Tradition)
(I expect the tannins to be more relaxed on the 2021, a more refined vintage.)
A deep, opaque red center with vibrant red edges. The nose rises easily from the glass with red cherry and raspberry, garrigue, some licorice, with subtle accentuating spices. The palate is med+ bodied, with med+ grain youthful tannins that should calm with a little more bottle age. They are noticeable, but do not standout too much in the balance of the wine's texture (they don't get in the way). Good freshness, acidity is there and adds life, lift and is really well integrated: meaning you notice it in what it does to the other components of the wine, not just for the sake of having acidity. The flavors are med+ to pronounced and dense, but fresh in their delivery and weight. The long, fresh, red fruited garrigue and spice laden finish tickles the palate with the youthful tannins holding court. Excellent!
The 2021 Gigondas Cuvée Tradition 1871 checks in at a moderate 13.7% alcohol. Cropped at 26hL/Ha, it offers shy red fruit aromatics but really comes alive on the palate. Solid flavor concentration flawlessly matches the energizing acidity, all tucked into a corset of gently sculpted tannins. The finish of this 2021 red is distinctively elegant. This spent one year in a combination of concrete tanks and foudres.
- By Nicolas Greinacher on August 2023
I was deeply impressed by the latest wines of the tiny family-owned Domaine du Gour de Chaulé. The estate comprises 10 hectares in the Gigondas appellation, of which 9.5 are currently under production. The energetic Paul Fumoso, the founder's great-great-grandson, took charge in 2018. Grenache represents most plantings at this certified organic property, usually making up more than 80% of the blend, with Syrah and Mourvèdre comprising the rest. During my visit, Fumoso expressed his intention to replace all Syrah and Mourvèdre with Cinsaut and Counoise eventually. They may lack the structure and color of the existing two varieties yet accumulate less sugar, contributing lower alcohol and much-needed freshness to his Grenache-led wines. Readers will not find white varieties here, as Fumoso isn’t head over heels for white wines from the Southern Rhône and prefers to dedicate his time to Grenache. Fumoso usually incorporates around 80% whole clusters, but in both 2021 and 2022, that number was reduced to about 30%, as most of the stems didn’t meet his quality restrictions. Of the 24 individual vineyard parcels, 21 end up in the entry-level Gigondas Cuvée Tradition 1871. Aged for one year in a combination of concrete tanks and foudres, mostly Austrian oak, the Cuvée Tradition 1871 offers a glimpse into the finesse-driven Gour de Chaulé style. The remaining three parcels are used for the two top-of-the-range single varietal Grenache offerings, the Gigondas Le Gour and Gigondas Numéro 8. Both wines are made in tiny quantities and raised entirely in 1900-liter (Le Gour) and 900-liter (Numéro 8) concrete eggs. I can’t wait to see what the future brings here.
My Tasting Note (on the 2022 .1871 Tradition)
(I expect the tannins to be more relaxed on the 2021, a more refined vintage.)
A deep, opaque red center with vibrant red edges. The nose rises easily from the glass with red cherry and raspberry, garrigue, some licorice, with subtle accentuating spices. The palate is med+ bodied, with med+ grain youthful tannins that should calm with a little more bottle age. They are noticeable, but do not standout too much in the balance of the wine's texture (they don't get in the way). Good freshness, acidity is there and adds life, lift and is really well integrated: meaning you notice it in what it does to the other components of the wine, not just for the sake of having acidity. The flavors are med+ to pronounced and dense, but fresh in their delivery and weight. The long, fresh, red fruited garrigue and spice laden finish tickles the palate with the youthful tannins holding court. Excellent!
Another outstanding find from the La Tablee tasting in NYC, this time from the Southern Rhone. Gour de Chaulé is the best Southern Rhone producer discovery I have tasted in I don’t know how long, 15 years since I first tried Domaine Cayron? Like Cayron, they have been around for a long time just flying under the radar, well my radar at least. Today's wine is in stock and ready to go this Friday! The date 1871 in the name of the wine referneces the year the domaine was founded.
If it makes a difference to you, MW and Somm Superstar Pascaline Lapeltier was hanging around behind this table a lot with the founder's great-great-grandson, Paul Fumoso, and his wife, who took charge in 2018. (You can see a pic of Paul below with his pups!) I was majorly impressed, and so were several others that tasted the wines next to me. Partial whole cluster, un-manipulated red wines with soul and grit, these were some of my favorite Grenache from the tasting, by far the best new (to me) domaine I tried. Right now we just have the main cuvee, the ".1871 Tradition" but will have the other wines next year, possibly as early as the end of January before tariffs. FYI: it takes a LOT for me to get excited about something new the Southern Rhone!
The domaine has 85% of the vineyards are planted to Grenache, with approximately 10% dedicated to Syrah and Mourvèdre and the balance planted to Cinsault. This wine's cepage track that breakdown.
If it makes a difference to you, MW and Somm Superstar Pascaline Lapeltier was hanging around behind this table a lot with the founder's great-great-grandson, Paul Fumoso, and his wife, who took charge in 2018. (You can see a pic of Paul below with his pups!) I was majorly impressed, and so were several others that tasted the wines next to me. Partial whole cluster, un-manipulated red wines with soul and grit, these were some of my favorite Grenache from the tasting, by far the best new (to me) domaine I tried. Right now we just have the main cuvee, the ".1871 Tradition" but will have the other wines next year, possibly as early as the end of January before tariffs. FYI: it takes a LOT for me to get excited about something new the Southern Rhone!
The domaine has 85% of the vineyards are planted to Grenache, with approximately 10% dedicated to Syrah and Mourvèdre and the balance planted to Cinsault. This wine's cepage track that breakdown.
- The domaine comprises 15 hectares, 10 of which are within Gigondas with the remaining 5 hectares situated in the surrounding communes of Vacqueyras and Violes
- Fermentations in several kinds of vessels: steel, neutral wood, and concrete with partial stem inclusion that varies depending on the vintage and quality of the stems
- Aged 10 months 70% concrete vat & concrete egg, 30% in 36hl & 60hl large oak barrels, some 2-year 600-litre oak casks. Then after assembled concrete vats for 6 months
****(*) John Livingstone-Learmonth
The tasting note is written based on the 3 component wines that age in steel, large neutral wood and concrete egg:
1) (steel vat) ***(*) bright red; the nose is reduced, but pure within, offers raspberry, red cherry, cherry stone airs. The palate is fluid, carries carbonic gas, is rather airborne, gives leafy, chalky tones towards the finish, along with reduction. Clear fruit and content here, with a build in depth and darkness. It’s a gradual gainer. From 2025-26 22 years 2) (large used tonneau barrel) **** close-knit raspberry sweetness on the nose, with is rather solid, has herbal tones. The palate has a comfy opening, nice padding, established gras on board that runs into a menthol, sure finish. It has a butty leaning, is interesting. From 2025. 23 years 3) (concrete egg from Le Gour) ***** steady Grenache red robe; lavender, garrigue airs with bright plum fresh off the tree, and a light herbal subset. A stimulating opening. The palate has a refined debut, holds a neat ball of gras with a discreet gain in emphasis. It’s very well orchestrated, the balance good, too. Much serenity here, way to go, is really marvelous, has a feathery elegance. 2021 is a vintage made for a wine like this – from old Grenache on the sand, gives a compelling marriage between terroir and vintage. From mid-2024. 24 years Overall: winning clarity of fruit, served with elegance. 2043-45 Oct 2022
The tasting note is written based on the 3 component wines that age in steel, large neutral wood and concrete egg:
1) (steel vat) ***(*) bright red; the nose is reduced, but pure within, offers raspberry, red cherry, cherry stone airs. The palate is fluid, carries carbonic gas, is rather airborne, gives leafy, chalky tones towards the finish, along with reduction. Clear fruit and content here, with a build in depth and darkness. It’s a gradual gainer. From 2025-26 22 years 2) (large used tonneau barrel) **** close-knit raspberry sweetness on the nose, with is rather solid, has herbal tones. The palate has a comfy opening, nice padding, established gras on board that runs into a menthol, sure finish. It has a butty leaning, is interesting. From 2025. 23 years 3) (concrete egg from Le Gour) ***** steady Grenache red robe; lavender, garrigue airs with bright plum fresh off the tree, and a light herbal subset. A stimulating opening. The palate has a refined debut, holds a neat ball of gras with a discreet gain in emphasis. It’s very well orchestrated, the balance good, too. Much serenity here, way to go, is really marvelous, has a feathery elegance. 2021 is a vintage made for a wine like this – from old Grenache on the sand, gives a compelling marriage between terroir and vintage. From mid-2024. 24 years Overall: winning clarity of fruit, served with elegance. 2043-45 Oct 2022
