Pierre Amadieu is a family-owned domaine established in 1929 in the village of Gigondas. Wines are made, matured and bottled on the estate, which now covers 140 hectares. Pierre is in charge of winemaking and maturation, while his uncle Claude runs the vineyard. The vines are mostly planted on hillsides between 230m and 500m up, facing north-northwest and surrounded by 200 hectares of garrigue and holm oaks. The exposure gives good aeration and avoids excessive sun in full summer, with extended ripening lending the wines freshness, depth and complexity.

Grape

90% Grenache noir, 10% Syrah

Vineyard & Vinification Note

At the foot of the rocky peaks of the place called “Le Pas de l’Aigle”, this selection of 60 years old Grenache parcels is the expression of a unique terroir in Gigondas : Gargasian Blue Marls. These poor soils, among the highest of the appellation, give concentration and complexity. The northwest exposure and the altitude (400m) bring an enjoyable delicacy and an astonishing freshness.

 Winemaking: This wine has two important allies, namely patience and time: a manual selection of the ripest bunches is followed by intense wine-making methods (fermenting for one month, while the grape skins are regularly soaked by the fermenting juice) for a precise, yet powerful, extraction. The careful ageing (24 months in foudres) allows the finesse of the French oak to be subtlety integrated, whilst respecting and revealing the complex aromas and flavours of these noble Rhône varieties. Then the wine spends at least one year in bottle.

Tasting Note

The colour is deep and dark. The nose is intense and complex with jammy notes of plum and fig. The palate is silky yet full-bodied with delicate red fruit mingling with intense and powerful flavours of candied black fruit with a hint of laurel, developing spicy and peppery notes on a wonderful lingering finish.

Jeb Dunnuck

A beautiful wine, the flagship 2016 Gigondas Le Pas De L’Aigle is a normal blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah that spent a full two years in oak casks before bottling. Ruby/purple-colored with intense notes of black raspberries, cassis, garrigue, and flowery incense, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a layered, multi-dimensional texture, and building tannins that give plenty of cut and definition on the finish. Taking plenty of time to open up, it’s going to benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and shine for 10-15 years. It’s a class act. Drink Date: 2021 – 2036. 95 Points, September 2019

Wine Advocate

Amadieu’s top cuvée, the 2016 Gigondas le Pas de l’Aigle is 90% old-vine Grenache and 10% Syrah planted at 400 meters above sea level (near the top of the appellation). Hints of clove, leather and cedar accent a mix of red and black fruit, including hints of cola. Medium to full-bodied, this concentrated, complex wine should be at its best in another year or two and drink well for the next 4-5 years. Drink Date: 2020 – 2027.  93 Points, Joe Czerwinski, August 2019

Food pairing

Perfect companion for powerful dishes such as truffle mousse, roasted leg of lamb or a beef stew seasoned with rosemary. Also, a great partner to a dark chocolate dessert. This wine can be laid down for 5 to 10 years.