In the glass

Full-bodiedFirm tanninMedium acidityDryLong finish

Aroma: ripe cherry, garrigue, dried violet, pepper, earthy mineral

Palate: red plum, dried herbs, iron, firm tannins, long dry mineral finish

Traditional Gigondas from the Ay family; old-vine Grenache unfiltered and aged in old foudres, offering excellent value and classic garrigue-driven Southern Rhone personality.

What it pairs with

  • Provencal lamb daube
    Classic Grenache-based Gigondas with traditional slow-braised lamb.
  • Aged Brebis des Pyrenees
    Firm tannins and earthy character pair well with aged sheep's-milk cheese.
  • Wild mushroom ragout with polenta
    Iron and earthy mineral notes complement wild mushrooms.

History

The Ay family has farmed Gigondas for several generations. Dominique Ay runs the domaine today in a traditional style: no filtration, no new oak, old foudres only. The wine is one of the most consistent and honest expressions of the Gigondas appellation.

  1. 1960 — Raspail-Ay established as an estate-bottled Gigondas
  2. 1995 — Dominique Ay takes over; maintains traditional no-filtration approach

Facts

Producer
Domaine Raspail-Ay
Grapes
Grenache (80%), Syrah (15%), Mourvedre (5%)
Classification
Gigondas AOC
Oak
Old large foudres; no new oak; no filtration
ABV
14.5%
Price
EUR 30-50 at retail
Drinking window
5-15 from vintage
First vintage
1960

Tags

dry firm tannin full body grenache medium acid medium term mood rustic mood savoury mourvedre occasion cellar occasion dinner party old vines old world pairs with aged cheese pairs with mushroom pairs with red meat price premium still red syrah value pick
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