2016 Alain Jaume Gigondas Terrasses de Montmirail 750 ml

A Bonfire of Critical Acclaim for Editors’ Choice Gigondas

From a harvest that has few equals in the history of Southern Rhône, Alain Jaume’s 2016 Gigondas is one of the most highly-recommended bottles from Gigondas in recent memory. 

In fact, Alain Jaume’s reputation in the Southern Rhône is second to none. Jeb Dunnuck has argued: “There are few better run estates in the world than that of the Jaume Family’s Domaine Grand Veneur,” while Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate has called the current managers of the estate, Sebastien and Christophe Jaume, “incredibly talented,” for producing “some of the most exciting wines coming out of the region.”

The Jaumes’ 2016 Gigondas lives up to the hype in every sip, and won a 94-point review and Editors’ Choice honors from Wine Enthusiast. Throw on double 93-point scores from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate and Rhône expert Jeb Dunnuck and you’ve got a rare symphony of critical acclaim. 

From prime Gigondas terroir, high-altitude coolness combined with the ripeness of the vintage to make for a release that bridges the gap between New World precision and flawless Old World technique with its chocolatey richness, seamless integration, and heady aromatics. 

The family’s winemaking legacy dates back to 1826, when Mathieu Jaume first started harvesting grapes in the northern reaches of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The wines have since become a reference point for Southern Rhône reds, for their striking purity and unmistakable pedigree. 

The fruit for this release hails from the famous, limestone-rich Dentelles de Montmirail area of Gigondas. The elevation of this rocky bar, reaching up to 1,900 feet, proved key in the 2016 vintage, extending ripening and furnishing cool nights. In a vintage that specialized in rich fruit ripeness, those conditions ensured freshness and scintillating acidity, but with enough tannic backbone to age for a decade.

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate argued that, in the Southern Rhône, “2016 is among the best ever, drawing comparisons to 1990 and 1978,” and further advised: “Smart consumers will snap up wines from their favorite producers,” as the 2017s will be harder to find and more expensive. At $24.99 on cases, this comes as one of the most highly-recommended bottles from Gigondas in recent memory.