Pierre Amadieu Gigondas Le Pas de L’Aigle 2018

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 the entire 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-year-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.

James Suckling Tasting Note

Mature and rich but very dry and subtle, this is slightly old-fashioned in a delightful way. Lots of dried orange peel, dried cherry and smoke character, and behind all that the fine tannins build as the wine moves inexorably across the palate like a huge ship plowing through the ocean waves. From old grenache and syrah vines in one of the highest altitude vineyards in this appellation. Drink or hold. 95 Points, December 2022

Wine Advocate Tasting Note

Almost entirely Grenache—there is some Syrah in the blend—Amadieu’s 2018 Gigondas le Pas de l’Aigle features scents of caramelized cherries and baking spices on the nose. It’s full-bodied, concentrated and loaded with fruit, framed by supple tannins. It’s another successful vintage for this cuvée, which is among the more consistent bottlings in the appellation. Drink Date: 2021 – 2033.  93 Points, Joe Czerwinski, October 2021

Jeb Dunnuck Tasting Note

As with most 2018s today, the 2018 Gigondas Le Pas De L’Aigle is up-front, charming, and drinking brilliantly. Kirsch, blackberries, toasted spices, and peppery garrigue all give way to a medium-bodied, forward, soft, and utterly delicious Gigondas to enjoy over the coming decade. Drink Date: 2023 – 2033. 92 Points, March 2023

Food pairing

The perfect companion for powerful dishes such as truffle mousse, roasted leg of lamb

Or a beef stew seasoned with rosemary. Also, it is a great partner for a dark chocolate dessert. This wine can be laid down for 5 to 10 years.