Domaine Saint-Damien - Vacqueyras 2021
Price: $37.99
3+ Price: $27.99 / btl
| Producer | Domaine Saint-Damien |
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| Country | France |
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| Region | Rhone Valley |
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| Subregion | Vacqueyras |
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| Varietal | Grenache |
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| Vintage | 2021 |
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| Sku | 17343 |
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| Size | 750ml |
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You know the winery… you’ve bought their Gigondas before. For years, it has been one of the Rhone’s greatest values. Imagine my excitement when I saw this new wine!
So here’s the thing… St. Damien’s winery is in la Baumette, a tiny hamlet on the banks of the Ouveze River to the west of Gigondas. It is also roughly the same distance from Vacqueyras in the southeast. In fact, if you set out from St. Damien along the main road, D8, you would be in the Vacqueyras appellation in less than a minute. Yep, all that separates this part of Gigondas from Vacqueyras is about 500 meters. There is no geographical demarcation between the regions. In fact, some vineyards lie in both appellations!
What really separates Gigondas from Vacqueyras is reputation. And reputations, good or bad, are hard to shake. The difference stems from when each was recognized as a stand-alone appellation, separate from Cotes du Rhone-Villages: Gigondas was recognized in 1971, while Vacqueyras didn’t make the big leagues till 1990. So Gigondas has had a 20-year head start in solidifying its reputation. Marketing baby… it’s all about marketing.
All of this means you get the same intense wine you love in St. Damien’s Gigondas for $10 less!
Looks like there is a new contender for the best value in Rhone!
70% Grenache and 30% Syrah from vines up to 40 years old. St. Damien’s hallmark richness is here, along with dark blackberry, currant and a hint of chocolate. Its complex yet ridiculously drinkable. Like their Gigondas, I expect it will age well, but for the price, I doubt it will last long in anyone’s house.
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