Gigondas Domaine Raspail Ay 2018

Gigondas Domaine Raspail Ay, old vines, classic, full bodied Southern Rhone. Gigondas of sheer style and delicious drinkability. The old vines and schist combine to impart flavours of deep red fruits, garrique, leather and meat stock. The palate is warming but very fresh with excellent balance. We love this wine and highly recommend it! Although not a natural winery as such, this is one of those wines that tastes natural anyway. The wine making is traditional and that means little intervention, no fining and only light filtration. The fruit quality is superb and the wine tastes very purely of the southern Rhone!

Raspail Ay is one of the most celebrated, traditional Gigondas estates.

Owner Dominique Ay has now been joined by his son, Christophe and daughter, Anne-Sophie. The 18 hectares of vineyards are perfectly positioned all around the house. The vines average 40 years old and are a mix of 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre. The grapes 100% destemmed, vinified in cement tanks and aged in a mix of foudres and cement tanks. The wines are never fined and rarely filtered. These are wines packed with fruit, and age admirably. Although not a natural winery as such, this is one of those wines that tastes natural anyway. The wine making is traditional and that means minimal intervention, no fining and only light filtration. The fruit quality is superb and the wine tastes very purely of the southern Rhone!