Very fruit forward on the nose and ever evolving dark fruited with some red fruits nice but I didn’t quite see what the fuss is about, checked in on day 2 and it while the fruit has faded a little it was still quite primary, so perhaps I need to sit on this longer.
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Pouring a translucent ruby, with what at first glance might seem like a somewhat thinly hued transparency, the Grenaches de Pierre leads-in with a comparatively lighter tinge and muted nose. First thought: "Uh oh, I opened this way too soon." The first sips confirm that suspicion, but there is an immediate elegance that emerges from the glass with well-honed and primary kirsch, red cherry, red raspberry, cranberry, and spice notes. The berry fruit hits the mid-palate slightly thin, finishing subtle and even a little diluted.
After three hours in the decanter, there was a thrilling (and somewhat surprising) transformation that steadily, and with increasing profundity, deepened the breadth of this wine, making for considerable advances in weight and intensity. I swear its color went from bright red to dark crimson-black over the course of a few hours. It was as if I was drinking a different wine than from before. The final sips ooze gorgeous black raspberry, licorice, earth, black pepper, smoked paprika spice, and wonderful floral (roses) notes, while still maintaining a sophistication and polish that some of the other heavy-hitter CdPs often lack due to overbearingly rich and ripe fruit and edgy booze. This Grenaches de Pierre displays no perceptible alcohol at all, providing only a lovely acidity and refined frame that perfectly balances the seamless surging of its fruit core. This went from a 90-ish point “I guess this is just a lighter style” CdP to a 97+ point “Holy bajankers this is one of the most polished CdPs I’ve had in a while!" just over the course of an evening decant.
Punchline: You can drink now, but it is absolutely crucial that you mainline substantial air into the veins of this low pulse starter, or better yet give it until 2025. A truly beautiful Grenache with even more potential in the coming years. 95-97+ points.
With a fabulous purity of fruit, silky tannins and a finish that does not want to quit, this just keeps on going. And that's a good thing, because I cannot get enough of all the juicy, ripe, kirsch, garrigue, wild strawberries and supple textures! The wine is made from 100% old vine Grenache.
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Nez d’intensité normale (+). Une petite pointe de volatile. Notes de cerises à l’eau, kirschées, mûre, nuances herbacées et graphite fumé.
Bouche : l’attaque est serrée et assez aromatique. Corps assez ample à ample. La trame est plus serrée que les Gallimardes 15 et moins veloutée. Grosse concentration et densité de la matière tout en restant bien équilibrée et fluide. L’expression aromatique est assez sombre et un peu amère (mûre, cassis, framboise noire, épices amères) – plus sombre qu’au nez et que les Gallimardes 15 qui délivraient davantage de fruits rouges purs et des notes florales. Finale de très belle longueur sur des fruits noirs, des épices, des herbes et quelques doux amers, mais reste savoureuse. Il semblerait que cette cuvée demandera un peu plus de temps que les Gallimardes.
Note : 17-17,25/20 i.e. 94+/100
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Winery Visit; Domaine Giraud, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France.: Made for 100% of Grenache planted in 1901. Beautiful bouquet with good garrigue and red and dark berry fruits. On the palate juicy red and dark berries, good herbs and spices, pepper, beautiful balance between acidity and sweetness. Beautiful, concentrated and elegant wine with round, but powerful tannin. A beauty! Wait until 2020 at least; better until 2025+. Great wine. 94 - 95+
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2/25/2023 - jvphoto Likes this wine: 95 Points
Dark & brooding spice box, rhubarb, brisket, minerals.
Should wait 3-4 more years
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7/31/2022 - Teaky Likes this wine:
Very fruit forward on the nose and ever evolving dark fruited with some red fruits nice but I didn’t quite see what the fuss is about, checked in on day 2 and it while the fruit has faded a little it was still quite primary, so perhaps I need to sit on this longer.
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1/28/2022 - AR1337 wrote: flawed
Corked.
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10/6/2021 - csimm wrote: 97 Points
Pouring a translucent ruby, with what at first glance might seem like a somewhat thinly hued transparency, the Grenaches de Pierre leads-in with a comparatively lighter tinge and muted nose. First thought: "Uh oh, I opened this way too soon." The first sips confirm that suspicion, but there is an immediate elegance that emerges from the glass with well-honed and primary kirsch, red cherry, red raspberry, cranberry, and spice notes. The berry fruit hits the mid-palate slightly thin, finishing subtle and even a little diluted.
After three hours in the decanter, there was a thrilling (and somewhat surprising) transformation that steadily, and with increasing profundity, deepened the breadth of this wine, making for considerable advances in weight and intensity. I swear its color went from bright red to dark crimson-black over the course of a few hours. It was as if I was drinking a different wine than from before. The final sips ooze gorgeous black raspberry, licorice, earth, black pepper, smoked paprika spice, and wonderful floral (roses) notes, while still maintaining a sophistication and polish that some of the other heavy-hitter CdPs often lack due to overbearingly rich and ripe fruit and edgy booze. This Grenaches de Pierre displays no perceptible alcohol at all, providing only a lovely acidity and refined frame that perfectly balances the seamless surging of its fruit core. This went from a 90-ish point “I guess this is just a lighter style” CdP to a 97+ point “Holy bajankers this is one of the most polished CdPs I’ve had in a while!" just over the course of an evening decant.
Punchline: You can drink now, but it is absolutely crucial that you mainline substantial air into the veins of this low pulse starter, or better yet give it until 2025. A truly beautiful Grenache with even more potential in the coming years. 95-97+ points.
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12/17/2018 - eoinhharkins wrote: 93 Points
Really enjoy this, loaded nose of ripe red berries and strawberry liquor, really smooth palate, with generous fruit and a really long finish
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8/21/2017 - Jeff Leve wrote: 95 Points
With a fabulous purity of fruit, silky tannins and a finish that does not want to quit, this just keeps on going. And that's a good thing, because I cannot get enough of all the juicy, ripe, kirsch, garrigue, wild strawberries and supple textures! The wine is made from 100% old vine Grenache.
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4/8/2017 - I've Got Bottle (JP Abela) wrote: 94 Points
Printemps Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2017; 4/7/2017-4/9/2017 (Châteauneuf-du-Pape): Couleur : violine sombre.
Nez d’intensité normale (+). Une petite pointe de volatile. Notes de cerises à l’eau, kirschées, mûre, nuances herbacées et graphite fumé.
Bouche : l’attaque est serrée et assez aromatique. Corps assez ample à ample. La trame est plus serrée que les Gallimardes 15 et moins veloutée. Grosse concentration et densité de la matière tout en restant bien équilibrée et fluide. L’expression aromatique est assez sombre et un peu amère (mûre, cassis, framboise noire, épices amères) – plus sombre qu’au nez et que les Gallimardes 15 qui délivraient davantage de fruits rouges purs et des notes florales.
Finale de très belle longueur sur des fruits noirs, des épices, des herbes et quelques doux amers, mais reste savoureuse. Il semblerait que cette cuvée demandera un peu plus de temps que les Gallimardes.
Note : 17-17,25/20 i.e. 94+/100
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4/7/2017 - Zweder wrote: 95 Points
Winery Visit; Domaine Giraud, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France.: Made for 100% of Grenache planted in 1901. Beautiful bouquet with good garrigue and red and dark berry fruits. On the palate juicy red and dark berries, good herbs and spices, pepper, beautiful balance between acidity and sweetness. Beautiful, concentrated and elegant wine with round, but powerful tannin. A beauty! Wait until 2020 at least; better until 2025+. Great wine. 94 - 95+
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