Here’s the full tasting note for...

Domaine des Garriguettes, Cotes du Rhone Rouge, Tradition, 2023

This is from 50% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre and 25% Syrah. Tasting this with Sébastien Clement was a delight. He believes that this vintage is even better than the critically acclaimed 2022 vintage. Who are we to disagree. So vibrant and red fruited. Joyously long and intense, with wild strawberry, raspberry and mediterannean herbs all mixed together. There is a smidge of tannin, providing a structure to this burst of flavour. A delight. Now-2026

A classic and superior southern Rhône, from bio-dynamically farmed (and certified) vines around Gadagne, south-east of Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

As the delicious previous vintage, this is superb. From 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 20% Syrah, it displays a vibrant and youthful purple robe and delectably lush fruit, chockfull of ripe cherries.

Lying just to the east of Avignon is the “other” Châteauneuf – the village of Châteauneuf-de-Gadagne which in large part shares a similar terroir to its more famous and much larger appellation to the north, i.e. the vineyards are covered with rounded pudding stones, weathered deposits from the Rhône river. It’s a historic terroir, the wines respected for centuries. 

Young Sébastien Clement now runs the domaine, having gained experience in the northern Rhône, Portugal and Australia. He immediately converted to organic and bio-dynamic viticulture.  Matt Walls, author of the Wines of the Rhône (published in 2021) thinks that “In time, this could be the domaine that finally puts Gadagne on the map”.