Domaine Les Pallieres Gigondas Racines 2022

If you’re looking for the soul of Gigondas, look no further than the “Les Racines” bottling from the legendary Brunier family (of Vieux Télégraphe fame). This cuvée comes from the oldest vines on the estate, some nearly a century old, situated right around the domaine’s historic cellars at the foot of the jagged Dentelles de Montmirail.

The 2022 vintage is a standout for its remarkable balance between power and poise. While the Rhône Valley saw plenty of sunshine this year, “Les Racines” maintains a sense of freshness and high-toned elegance that is the hallmark of this terroir. On the nose, it’s a beautiful mix of dark cherries, cassis, and the classic Southern Rhône garrigue—that intoxicating scent of wild thyme, lavender, and rosemary.

This is a wine built for the cellar, but it is already showing alluring characteristics that makes it hard to resist right now. If you do open it soon, we recommend a brief decant to let those old-vine aromatics truly sing.