Domaine de Longue Toque Gigondas Hommage a Gabriel 2016
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Dunnuck
Jeb -
Enthusiast
Wine -
Parker
Robert
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Pair with roasted pork with thyme, rib of beef in salt crust, or an autumn vegetable pie.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2016 Gigondas Hommage À Gabriel Meffre (98% Grenache and 2% Syrah) is sensational stuff and one of the gems in this great, great vintage. Gorgeous black raspberries, cassis, crushed flowers, and pepper all flow to a full-bodied, powerful, yet incredibly seamless and sexy Gigondas that has ultra-fine tannin, no hard edges, and a blockbuster finish. It's a big, rich wine, yet the buzzwords are elegance and purity.
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Wine Enthusiast
Whispers of toast, smoked garrigue and earth juxtapose luscious black cherry and plum in this potent red. Made from 98% Grenache with just a splash of Syrah, it's rich and velvety on the palate but has a spicy kick and touch of minerality that lend balance. Finishes long on firm but chalky tannins. Ready now but should hold nicely through 2026
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 Gigondas Hommage a Gabriel Meffre is a bona fide beauty. Almost all Grenache (it does include 2% Syrah), it shows wonderfully subtle oak influence; toasted almond notes accent raspberry and stone fruit in this full-bodied, supple and utterly charming wine. With its silky finish, it's approachable now but should drink well through 2030.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
The Southern Rhône region of Gigondas extends northwest from the notably jagged wall of mountains called the Dentelles di Montmirail, whose highest point climbs to about 2,600 feet. The region and its wines have much in common with the neighboring Chateauneuf-du-Pape except that the vineyards of Gigondas exist at higher elevation and its soils, comprised mainly of crumbled limestone from the Dentelles, often produce a more dense and robust Grenache-based red wine.
The region has a history of fine winemaking, extending back to Roman times. But by the 20th century, Gigondas was merely lumped into the less distinct zone of Côtes du Rhône Villages. However, it was first among these satellite villages to earn its own appellation, which occurred in 1971.
Gigondas reds must be between 50 to 100% Grenache with Syrah and Mourvèdre comprising the bulk of the remainder of the blend. They tend express rustic flavors and aromas of wild blackberry, raspberry, fig, plum, as well as juniper, dried herbs, anise, smoke and river rock. The best are bold but balanced, and finish with impressively sexy and velvety tannins.
The Gigondas appellation also produces rosé but no white wines.