Domaine Raspail-Ay
Southern Rhone, Gigondas
Wine Maker: Dominique Ay

Founded in 1854 with 18 hectares under vine planted to Grenache (80%) Syrah (15%) and Mourvedre (5%) proprietor Dominique Ay keeps things very simple at Gigondas’ finest address – one red and one Rosé. The Raspail-Ay Gigondas reflects the appellation’s characteristics faithfully in an elegantly robust style which needs four or so years for the tannins to meld with the wine. Dominique leaves as much as possible to nature in the vineyard and applies a minimalist approach in the winery. All grapes are de-stemmed prior to the spontaneous ferment which last for 15 days; the maturation for the Grenache takes place en foudrés, the Syrah and Mourvèdre in second and third use barriques with two rackings prior to bottling after eighteen months without fining or filtration.

‘Very consistent, high quality – full, robust wines that reward patience to allow their tannins to settle and integrate.’ John Livingston-Learmonth

‘Dominique Ay is a stocky and pugnacious man who makes one of Gigondas’ best wines …….. this is a five-star domaine.’ Remington Norman MW

‘One of the benchmark producers of Gigondas, especially for elegant, complex wines that represent a synthesis in style between a grand cru red Burgundy and a southern Rhone, …’ Robert Parker Jnr.

‘Absolutely gorgeous silky and substantial, particularly with half a dozen years and more from a good cellar’. Euan McKay

Wine Available

Gigondas available in 750ml
This is gently spicy, clean and fresh with some plum fruit notes and hints of provencale spice. The palate is medium to full bodied yet fine with a delicate texture which is silky, powerful and long; it displays a lovely sweet spot; the flavors are suave advancing raspberry and cassis with buried tannins.

“Youthful purple.  Intriguing perfume of black raspberry, cherry  compote, tobacco and lavender, complicated by a strong spiciness.  Broad but focused red fruit flavors are firmed by juicy acidity, showing exotic notes of  candied flowers and star anise.  Silky tannins add shape to the long, attractively perfumed finish. 92-94 points” Stephen Tanzer

Gigondas Magnums
Vintage in, vintage out this Domaine turns out one of the appellations finest wines. Neither the brawniest nor the faintest, just beautifully balanced and silky flavoured rich Gigondas. And it is from magnum with 10+years of age when the magic commences. The Burgundian-like aromas which are ethereal and evocative and replicate on the palate, the velvety texture with elegance but builds through to a more powerful and explosive finish.

‘Potentially the finest Gigondas made here since their sublime 1978 (still going strong, by the way), the 2007 exhibits gorgeously sweet black currant, kirsch, and mineral notes intermixed with hints of cigar box and forest floor. Full-bodied with elegance married to considerable substance and power, a beautifully textured mouthfeel, and a long, heady finish, this will be a long-lived Gigondas. Give it 2-3 years of cellaring and enjoy it over the following 15 years. 92 pts’ Robert Parker Jr.

‘Fine, dusty and elegant with a vibrant presence of luscious, juicy and finely controlled fruit, this smooth and supple wine can’t hide its New World influences. Scented with red and blue flowers, its spicy bouquet of raspberry, blueberry and cherry reveals undertones of baked earth and cedar. Long and silky, deftly supported by fine, boney tannins, finishing quite savoury and stony, with lingering suggestions of cloves and licorice.’ Jeremy Oliver, Gourmet Traveller Wine