DOMAINE LES PALLIÈRES
This is the finest estate in Gigondas and certainly one of the finest estates in the Southern Rhône. 25 hectares of vines, with an average age of 65-70 years, sitting in its own elevated hidden bowl at between 250-400m, facing north west and surrounded by 100 hectares of wild garrigue.
We have worked with Domaine les Pallières and the late Pierre Roux for over 30 years and were delighted when Daniel and Frédéric Brunier purchased the Domaine in 1998.
Huge improvements and investments have been made both in the vineyards and the cellar. A ring of small fermentation vessels has been installed, both wooden and concrete, so that they can pick very small parcels at optimum ripeness. Little new oak is used and the wines are matured in large foudres.
Two cuvées are made. The very old vine ‘Racines’ cuvée from vines with an average of 100 years, grown around the house. Here the soils are clay and limestone. The second cuvée ‘Terrasse du Diable’, is from grapes grown on the higher terraces where the vines are 60-80 year old and the soil is a mix of clay, chalk and volcanic schistes. Both cuvées are tremendous.
Les Pallières has always been sold by the top restaurants in France and is increasingly sought after.