Domaine du Grapillon D’or
| Vigneron | Céline Chauvet |
| Location | Gigondas (Vaucluse) |
| Size of Domaine | 19 ha |
| Terroir | Mediterranean climate, Mistral (northern wind) influence. Red clay and limestone, sand, river pebbles. 160-220m altitude. |
| Viticulture | Sustainable – the soils are worked, organic manures are used in winter, no chemicals except in challenging vintages when fungicide could be used. |
| View Domaine du Grapillon D’or wines ↓ |
Perched in the windy, sun-drenched hillsides of the Dentelles de Montmirail, the Grapillon d'Or estate was created in 1806 and has remained in the hands of the Chauvet family ever since. Céline Chauvet's grandfather was the first to plant syrah in Gigondas back in the 60s, and her father Bernard ran the domaine for over 40 years before handing over to her.
The benchmark Gigondas comes from three main parcels of low yielding vines averaging 50yo on both north and south-facing slopes. The vineyards are conveniently located around the cellar, they are well exposed to the drying Mistral wind and grow on sand and argilo-calcaire soils. Harvested by hand the grapes are traditionally vinified with 100% destalking and a long cuvaison, ageing is carried out in old foudres for 12 months, and in cuve for another six months, bottling occurs without fining or filtration.
Domaine du Grapillon D’or Wines
GIGONDAS 2019
80% Grenache, 20% Syrah
80% Grenache, 20% Syrah (15% alc.)
This comes from the windy, sun drenched hillsides of the Dentelles de Montmirail. It is a really well controlled Gigondas with hints of thyme/rosemary and game on the nose, supple black cherry fruit, spice, liquorice and mocha on the palate, with well-integrated tannins.