2010 Domaine Giraud Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee les Grenaches de Pierre Chateauneuf du Pape

2010 Domaine Giraud Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee les Grenaches de Pierre

100 JD

Featured Review

Basically all Grenache from a single parcel of sandy soils in the center of this hallowed appellation, the 2010 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grenaches de Pierre is an otherworldly wine that offers incredible power and richness as well as sensational purity and elegance. Black cherries, cassis, spring flowers, violets, and garrigue all emerge from the glass, and it’s heavenly on the palate as well, with full-bodied richness, ultra-fine tannin, a stacked mid-palate, and a huge finish. It’s a tour de force in wine and hats off to Marie Giraud for this incredible wine! Jeb Dunnuck

Jeb Dunnuck | 100 JD

Although it is extremely limited in availability, readers should not forget the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Grenaches de Pierre. This remarkable wine boasts inky, raspberry and kirsch liqueur notes interwoven with spring flowers, loamy, sandy soil, balsam wood and forest floor, and a full-bodied, multidimensional mouthfeel. The color is a dense purple, there is good acidity underlying the wine's tremendous opulence and voluptuous texture, and the tannins are sweet. It is another fabulous example of old vine Grenache that should drink well for 15-20 years.

This estate has acquitted itself impressively over the last 5-6 years. It first caught my attention with its brilliant 2007s, which were followed by strong efforts in 2009 and now their finest wines to date, the 2010s. Domaine Giraud is an old estate that has been reinvigorated by the enthusiasm of a younger generation, especially Marie Giraud. They own just over 40 acres in various Chateauneuf du Pape terroirs. The 2011 vintage was successful for Domaine Giraud, as evidenced by the following three wines. Without a doubt the 2010s are the greatest wines made to date by Francois and Marie Giraud.

Robert Parker | 99 RP

Marries massive layers of lush, modern-styled boysenberry paste, plum pâte de fruit, anise and blackberry paste to old-school charcoal, smoldering tobacco and licorice root notes. The structure is well-endowed, but shows polish and integration. Graphite girders support the finish while the acidity flows seamlessly. Captures fruit, terroir and the vintage character beautifully. Best from 2014 through 2030. 167 cases made.

Wine Spectator | 98 WS

(made from the estate's oldest grenache vines, in La Crau and Pignan): Inky ruby. Sexy, floral-accented scents of dark fruit preserves, garrigue and licorice. Offers intense black raspberry and anise flavors that become more tangy with air. Shows a suave blend of richness and vivacity and finishes on a gently tannic note, with superb delineation and length.

Vinous Media | 94 VM

Type of Wine	Chateauneuf du Pape : You can expect Chateauneuf-du-Pape reds selection to wash over you with a combination of leather, game, tar, and delicious dried herbs, creating a spice mixture that commands respect from even the harshest non-believers. Chateauneuf-du-Pape whites are ever so refreshing and bold, frolicking in a field of floral notes and earthy minerals.
Varietal	Proprietary Blend : Proprietary Blend is a general term used to indicate that a wine is comprised of multiple grape varietals which are either “proprietary” to the winery or is blended and does not meet the required maximum or minimum percentage of a particular varietal. This also is the case for the grape’s place of origin, especially for region, appellation or vineyard designated wines. There are endless examples of blended wines which are labeled as “Proprietary Blend” and in conjunction with each region’s stipulated wine laws and regulations makes for a vast blanket for wines to fall into. Perhaps the simplest example is California; if a wine is to be labeled as Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it is required to have at least 75% of the varietal (Cabernet Sauvignon) and 85% of the fruit must be cultivated from the Napa Valley wine district. If the wine does not meet the requirements, it is then labeled as Proprietary Blend.
Country	France : Wine is the lifeblood that courses through the country of France, pulsing with vigorous pride and determination. Viticulture is not just a hobby or an occupation in France; it is a passion, a cherished tradition that has been passed down through generations of wine stained hands. Winemaking is a beloved art that has been ingrained in the culture, an aptitude instilled in sons by fathers and the hallmark for which France’s reputation was built, allowing it to be renowned as, arguably, the most important wine producing country in the world. For centuries, France has been producing wines of superior quality and in much greater quantity than any other country in the world. It boasts some of the most impressive wine regions, coveted vineyards and prestigious wines on earth. The regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Sauternes and Champagne have become the benchmark, for which others aspire to become. Legendary producers such as Chateaux Margaux, Domaine De La Romanee Conti, Chapoutier, d’Yquem and Dom Perignon are idolized world-wide. France has stamped its name on nearly every style of wine, from the nectar-like sweet Sauternes to hedonistic Chateauneuf Du Papes classic Bordeaux and Burgundy, to its sparkling dominance in Champagne. Many of the most infamous grape varietals in the world, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay originated in France and are not only beloved, but utilized in the creation of some of the greatest wines on earth. French wine production commands the attention of the wine market year after year. With over 860,000 hectares under vine, and numbers close to 50 million hectoliters of wine produced annually, France dominates the market and sets the standard for not only product quality, but also quantity. France’s many contributions to the world of wine have been absolutely indispensable. The country is the originator of the term “Premier Cru,” coined the term Terroir (a French term so complex there is no literal translation) and has laid the blueprint for a structured appellation system, which others have implemented in their own countries. French vineyard techniques and winemaking practices are mimicked world-wide. California vintners have been replicating Rhone style wines for decades, South America has adopted the French varietal of Malbec and countries around the world are imitating Burgundian styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. With vast diversity in terroir, France is home to some of the most hospitable winegrowing locations on earth. The combination of topography, geology, climate, rainfall and even the amount of sunlight combined with the long historical tradition of winegrowing and making, has allowed the vintners of France to not only hone their skills, but learn from nature to create a product that like the world in which it resides… is very much alive.
Region	Rhone : While the Northern Rhone produces only about 5% of all wine coming out of the Rhone Valley, the quality of these bottles is not to be underestimated. The terroir in this region is heavenly for growing Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne or Rousanne - the only permitted grapes in the AOC. Picture this - the Rhone flows through the valley like an azure thread piercing the landscape, a reflection of the dreamy skies hovering above the vineyards, ready to produce rainfall at a moment's notice. The rocky soil of the steep, almost surreal hillsides provides a bountiful feast for the grapevine roots. The flavors and texture of Northern Rhone wines tell you everything you need to know as soon as your lips touch the elixir, like a whisper in the vigorous valley winds As per the Southern Rhone wine, it is like taking a plunge into a whirlpool of juicy flavor. Every sip explodes forward like a crashing tsunami, bathing your tastebuds in delicious aromas of prune, chocolate, grass, and black fruit. The wines are so compelling that it can be hard to drink them casually at a social event without getting lost in their intricate textures and emotional depths. Let's set sail together, and drink deep from these luxurious bottles with our friends and loved ones.