M. Chapoutier Gigondas Les Jocasses

Description

M. Chapoutier Gigondas Les Jocasses is a red wine from the southern Rhone. It is a blend of mainly Grenache with some Syrah and Mourvedre.  

Maison Chapoutier has grown into one of the largest and most recognisable producers of Rhone wines. The company dates back to 1808 when Michel Chapoutier’s distant ancestor Polydor Chapoutier bought a parcel of vines in the Rhone Valley. Today the Chapoutier has vineyards throughout the Rhone from Côte Rôtie in the north to Luberon in the south as well as overseas projects like Domaine Tournon in Victoria, Australia. Michel is committed to making the best wines whilst respecting the environment. Chapoutier now owns the largest biodynamic vineyard in Europe. Michel believes that “the complexity in a wine comes from the level of microbiological activity around the vine roots”. Soils on the Chapoutier estate never see pesticides or herbicides, floral growth amongst the vines is essential, and the natural cycles of the earth, sun and moon are also considered.

The grapes for the M. Chapoutier Gigondas Les Jocasses come from selected vineyards planted on a combination of sandy molasses, clay or old alluvial deposits with shingles. As mentioned before, this is a three-way blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. Grenache brings red fruit and warm, spicy flavours, while Syrah adds structure, depth and dark fruit flavours. Mourvèdre contributes complexity with earthy and gamey notes.

The wine is vinified traditionally. Grapes are destemmed and vinified in concrete tanks. Daily pumping over is carried out during the alcoholic fermentation and the maturing takes place in concrete tanks over 8 months. 

M. Chapoutier Gigondas Les Jocasses is made from organically grown grapes. The exclusion of all chemical products (in particular herbicides), and the ploughing of the vineyards, enables the vine to plunge its root system deep down into the heart of the soil. Deeper root systems make the vine’s physiological behaviour more even and provide better resistance to sudden changes in temperature.

As with all Chapoutier’s wines, this wine features braille on the label.

What is Gigondas?

The Gigondas Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) of the Southern Rhone was established in 1971 when, as recognition of its quality, it split from the other Côtes du Rhône-Villages becoming an appellation in its own right. It is principally a red wine appellation although some rosé wine is produced and, since 2022, white wines are permitted.  Nearly 2000 hectares of vineyards are planted by approximately 120 producers.