Domaine du Cayron Gigondas Grenache 2018

Vinous Media 95
"Dark shimmering red. Highly expressive red berry and cherry preserve aromas are complemented by suggestions of _ garrigue_, smoked meat and candied flowers. Sappy and penetrating on the palate, offering primary black raspberry, bitter cherry and spicecake flavors that show superb depth and focus. Gently gripping tannins build slowly on the impressively long, energetic finish, which leaves behind intense floral and red berry notes. -- Josh Raynolds"

Jeb Dunnuck 92
"The 2018 Gigondas should slot in behind the 2017 yet should still be a beautiful, outstanding wine. Black currants, cassis, sappy green herbs, bouquet garni, and ground pepper notes all emerge from this medium-bodied, silky, ultra-fine, and polished 2018. It shows the vintages more forward, supple style and should drink nicely right out of the gate."

The Wine
THE benchmark producer in Gigondas
78 Grenache, 14 Syrah, 6 Cinsault, 2 Mourvdre
Grown on clay-limestone with southeast exposure
100 hand-harvested
Indigenous yeast
Aged in large older barrels
Unfined and unfiltered

The Winery
Considered by many to be the benchmark producer in the appellation, Cayron produces a Gigondas (cepage = roughly 70 Grenache; 15 each Syrah and Cinsault and a drop of Mourvdre for color) of phenomenal richness and incredible longevity. Their vines are on average 40+ years old with parcels up to 70 years old. Youd be hard-pressed to find a more terroir-expressive wine anywhere in the Southern Rhone; bold, explosive, stunningly evocative garrigues flavors careen from the glass, blaring their stamp of origin like a neon sign. These are old-styled, powerful wines of enormous fruit amplitude and irresistible personality. Furthermore, Cayron is among the most age-worthy of Gigondas, delicious upon release, but improving for well over a decade and holding strong for a long time thereafter. This 15-hectare domaine, run by the Faraud family, is a classic and truly top-flight estate. " ~ Winery notes

OLD VINES – 40-70 years old!
LOW YIELDS – 26 hl/ha way below what's allowed in Gigondas
BENCHMARK PRODUCER IN GIGONDAS – 4 generations of the Farraud family making wine.
"One of my favorite estates in Gigondas...The style here is staunchly traditional, and their wines always show the gamier, wild side of Gigondas."

Jeb Dunnuck

Viticulture in Gigondas dates back to Antiquity. The very name of the town its thought to be derived from the Latin Jocundus meaning "joyful." Fittingly, Domaine du Cayron is run by three joyful sisters, Delphine, Cendrine and Roseline Faraud, and overseen by their father, Michel.

Considered by many to be the benchmark producer in the appellation, Domaine du Cayron produces a Gigondas of phenomenal richness and incredible longevity. You'd be hard-pressed to find a more terroir-expressive wine anywhere in the Southern Rhône; bold, explosive, stunningly evocative garrigues flavors careen from the glass, blaring their stamp of origin like a neon sign. These are old-styled, powerful wines of enormous fruit amplitude and irresistible personality. Furthermore, Cayron is among the most age-worthy of all Gigondas, delicious upon release, but improving for well over a decade and holding strong for a long time thereafter.

Farming Practice:Sustainable