Saint Damien Gigondas Blanc Les Prés 2023

100 % Clairette from the lieu-dits of La Louisianne and La Moutte both situated on the plateau quite close to the estate. Just 3 barrels produced for this first vintage. 100 % aged in barrel, 2 from Chassin cooperage, both 1 one year old, and one 228 L from Stockinger. Fresh perfumed and very pure the aromas are lifted by the ageing on lees and the very small impact of barrel. Fresh and fine.

‘The 2023 Gigondas Blanc from Domaine Saint Damien offers up aromas of spices, oak, walnuts and camphor, followed by a medium to full-bodied, pure and crystalline texture framed by bright, delicate acids and a spicy, clove finish ... this is a well-executed Gigondas Blanc.’ 91 points, Yohan Castaing, The Wine Advocate, October 2024.

'The first white from this estate, the 2023 Gigondas Blanc has a kiss of reduction as well as rock-solid aromatics of candied lemon zest, minty flowers, and honeysuckle. It's a medium-bodied, pure, elegant white that will benefit from 6-12 months of bottle age and should evolve nicely over the following 2-4 years.' 90 points, Jeb Dunnuck, May 2024.

This is the first vintage for the new appellation granted to Gigondas blanc. Clairette blanche must be minimum 70 % fermented on its own or blended with the traditional Rhone Valley grape varieties grown in Gigondas (Bourboulenc, Clairette Rose, Grenache Blanc and Gris, Marsanne, Piquepoul Blanc and Roussanne). Two secondary grape varieties, Viognier and Ugni blanc, cannot represent more than 5 % of the varietal range.