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Clos des Cazaux Gigondas Tour Sarrasine
Domaine Le Clos des Cazaux
France - Rhone Valley - Gigondas AOC   

This strong, warm wine comes from a selection of grapes planted on exceptional soils. The vineyards in Gigondas are situated on the arid hills of the Dentelles de Montmirail. The Mistral blows regularly on these slopes which limits the amount of treatment needed to the vines. The vines grow on stony soils and produce wine that can be kept easily for 10 yrs.

Intense, persistent red and dark fruit aromas. Raspberry, pepper and spice flavors. Silky tannins.

Specifications
Appellation
Gigondas AOC
Wine Type
Red
Varietal(s)
50% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre (2016). 70% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre (2015)
Age of vines
30 to 60 years
Agricultural Practices
Sustainable
Soil type
terraced chalky granitic slopes of the Dentelles de Montmirail
Vinification
Maturation occurs first in stainless steel tanks and then in concrete or enamel tanks. The wines mature in cellar for at least 2 years before bottling. Aged 9 months stainless steel tanks and 12 months in concrete tanks. There is no fining, and only a light filtration to limit the natural deposit in the bottle.
Pairings

Enjoy with game meat or strong cheeses.

Reviews and News

2021 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 92-94 PTS - VINOUS

2021 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 92-94 PTS - VINOUS

vinous logo"Bright violet color. The fragrant and incisive nose displays vibrant red fruit, floral and spice qualities. Shows very good energy and detail on the palate, offering nervy bitter cherry and redcurrant flavors and a hint of garrigue. Closes long and spicy, with resonating fruit and floral notes. - Josh Raynolds - Josh Raynolds"

- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (January 2023), 92-94 pts

 

2020 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 94 PTS - VINOUS

2020 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 94 PTS - VINOUS

vinous logo"Deep, brilliant ruby color. Sharply focused, spice-tinged black raspberry, cherry, potpourri and garrigue scents pick up a smoky mineral nuance with air. This offers concentrated raspberry, kirsch, succulent herb and floral pastille flavors, lifted by a suggestion of white pepper. Fine-grained tannins come in slowly and add shape and grip to a strikingly long, floraldriven finish, showing firm tension and final cut. Raised in concrete and stainless steel tanks. - Josh Raynolds"

- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (January 2023), 94 pts

 

2020 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 91 PTS - JD

2020 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 91 PTS - JD

jeb dunnuck logo 250"Tasted out of bottle, the 2020 Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine is a gem of a classic Gigondas that's loaded with notions of Provençal garrigue, spiced red fruits, sandalwood, and loamy soil. This balanced, medium-bodied, sweetly fruited, and complex 2020 is perfect for drinking over the coming 10-12 years."

- Jeb Dunnuck (March 2023), 91 pts

 

2019 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 93 PTS - WS

2019 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 93 PTS - WS

wine spectator 93 pts"Singed mesquite and alder notes lead the way in this slight throwback-styled offering, with a core of steeped blackberry and red currant fruit flavors showing extra light bay, leather and dried garrigue nuances throughout. The sanguine-edged finish has subtle persistence. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Best from 2024 through 2036. —James MOLESWORTH"

- Wine Spectator Insider (December 22nd 2021), 93 pts

 

2019 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 92 PTS - JD

2019 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 92 PTS - JD

jeb dunnuck logo 250"The 2019 Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine shows a touch more finesse and elegance, with beautiful red and blue fruits as well as notes of new saddle leather, lavender, and herbes de Provence. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has terrific fruit, silky tannins, and great balance. It’s not over the top in any way, has a pure, seamless mouthfeel, and is another terrific Gigondas from this estate. A blend of 70% Grenache and 15% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, it will evolve gracefully for 10-15 years."

- Jeb Dunnuck (January 2022), 92 pts

 

2018 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 89-91 PTS - WA

2018 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 89-91 PTS - WA

wa"Black cherries and licorice appear on the nose of the 2018 Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine, an assemblage of 70% Grenache and 15% each Mourvèdre and Syrah. It's full-bodied and velvety, showing decent depth and length. An overall solid effort that should drink well for close to a decade. - Joe Czerwinski"

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #244, August 2019), 89-91 pts

 

2018 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 89-91 PTS - JD

2018 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 89-91 PTS - JD

jeb dunnuck logo 250"Moving to the 2018s, the 2018 Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine offers a forward, sweetly fruited, incredibly charming style as well as classy notes of black cherries, black raspberries, scorched earth and garrigue. It’s medium-bodied, has plenty of ripe tannins, and I suspect is going to be an outstanding wine."

- Jeb Dunnuck (September 2019, Southern Rhône Part 2: 2017 & 2018 from Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Cairanne, and Rasteau), 89-91 pts

Go To Cazaux Gigondas Tour Sarrasine

 

2017 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 92 PTS - JD

2017 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 92 PTS - JD

jeb dunnuck logo 250"The Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine always seems to be a winner and the 2017 is no exception. With a big, meaty, peppery nose that has ample cedary spice and sweet red and black fruits, it’s medium to full-bodied, has a wonderful sweetness of fruit, ripe tannins, and terrific balance. It's rock solid and will shine of upwards of a decade. The blend is 70% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, and 15% Syrah, aged two years in concrete and stainless steel."

- Jeb Dunnuck (September 2019, Southern Rhône Part 2: 2017 & 2018 from Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Cairanne, and Rasteau), 92 pts

Go To Cazaux Gigondas Tour Sarrasine

 

2017 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 91-93 PTS - JD

2017 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 91-93 PTS - JD

jeb dunnuck logo 250"From one of my favorite estates, the 2017 Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine (70% Grenache and 15% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre) comes from terraced, higher elevation, chalky soils, was fermented with no destemming, and will spend two years in a mix of concrete and stainless-steel tanks. It’s a classic, old-school effort that’s overflowing with stemmy, peppery herbs, spice, and assorted red and black fruits. Possessing medium to full body, good concentration, and the ripe, sexy style of the vintage, it’s going to drink nicely for 10-12 years."

- Jeb Dunnuck (September 26th 2018), 91-93 pts

Go To Cazaux Gigondas Tour Sarrasine

 

2017 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 91 PTS - WE

2017 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 91 PTS - WE

wine enthusiast 91 pts"Smoky tones on the nose dissipate with aeration revealing brighter notes of ripe, zesty black berry and wild mint. Full bodied and rich on the palate, this Grenache-dominant blend offers punchy black-cherry flavor edged by a sizzle of sweet spice. At peak from 2021 through 2027, the wine can hold further. - ANNA LEE C. IIJIMA"

- Wine Enthusiast (September 2020), 91 pts

 

2016 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 94 PTS - WA

2016 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 94 PTS - WA

wa94"Darker and deeper than the estate's Vacqueyras, the 2016 Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine is 70% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre and 15% Syrah. Ripe plum and boysenberry notes lead the way, dressed up by sexy hints of raspberry, leather and baking spices. It's full-bodied and richly textured, with a long, velvety finish. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. - Joe Czerwinski"

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #238, August 31st 2018), 94 pts

Go To Cazaux Gigondas Tour Sarrasine

 

2016 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 93 PTS - JD2

2016 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 93 PTS - JD2

jeb dunnuck logo 250"I loved the 2016 Gigondas Tour Sarrasine from barrel, and it certainly didn’t disappoint from bottle. A blend of 70% Grenache and 15% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, brought up in a mix of stainless steel and concrete, it offers a ripe, sexy, incredibly satisfying style as well as lots of complex pine forest, earthy spice, pepper, and sweet blackberry and cherry fruit. It’s well worth seeking out and will keep for over a decade."

- Jeb Dunnuck (March 27th 2019), 93 pts

Go To Cazaux Gigondas Tour Sarrasine

 

2016 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 93 PTS - JD

2016 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 93 PTS - JD

jeb dunnuck logo 250"From a bottle in US and showing even better from bottle than barrel, the 2016 Gigondas Tour Sarrasine (70% Grenache and 15% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre brought up in tank) offers a spicy, pine forest, pepper, and earthy red and black fruit-driven profile. Medium to full-bodied, rounded, and incredibly sexy and opulent on the palate, it has a wealth of fruit, beautiful purity, and a great finish. It has the relatively approachable style of the vintage yet given its depth and density, it’s going to evolve nicely for 10-12 years."

- Jeb Dunnuck (September 2018), 93 pts

Go To Cazaux Gigondas Tour Sarrasine

 

2016 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 91-93 PTS - VINOUS

2016 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 91-93 PTS - VINOUS

vinous logo"Deep ruby. Mineral- and smoke-accented red berries and garrigue on the deeply perfumed nose, along with a peppery nuance that adds spicy lift. Juicy, nicely concentrated cherry and raspberry flavors are braced by an undercurrent of smoky minerality. Picks up a suave floral nuance on the very persistent finish, which is framed by silky, harmonious tannins. -Josh Raynolds"

- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (August 2018), 91-93 pts

Go To Cazaux Gigondas Tour Sarrasine

 

2016 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 91 PTS - WE

2016 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 91 PTS - WE

wine enthusiast 91 pts"Notes of preserved black cherry and berry extend from nose to finish here, muted by savory tones of crushed earth, forest floor and dried rosemary. Full bodied and richly textured, it's a warming, ruddy wine accentuated by ripe, chewy tannins and sunny acidity. Enjoy now–2026. - ANNA LEE C. IIJIMA"

- Wine Enthusiast (December 2018, Best of Year 2018 Issue), 91 pts

Go To Cazaux Gigondas Tour Sarrasine

 

2016 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 89-92 PTS - JD

2016 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 89-92 PTS - JD

jeb dunnuck logo 250"As to the reds, the 2016 Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine offers a ripe, medium to full-bodied, concentrated style as well as classic, old school notes of smoked meats, bay leaf, game, pepper and assorted red and black fruits. It has a fresh, balanced feel, and will keep for a decade or more."

- Jeb Dunnuck (October 2017), 89-92 pts

Go To Cazaux Gigondas Tour Sarrasine

 

2015 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 92 PTS - WE

2015 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 92 PTS - WE

wine enthusiast 92 pts"Whiffs of crushed earth, fennel and lavender lend a savory, Mediterranean feel to plush black-plum and cherry flavors here. It's a full-bodied, richly textured wine framed firmly by fresh acidity and taut, gripping tannins. Lovely now, it's structured enough to improve through 2025 and hold further. - ANNA LEE C. IIJIMA"

- Wine Enthusiast Magazine (September 2018), 92 pts

Go To Cazaux Gigondas Tour Sarrasine

 

2015 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 91 PTS - WA

2015 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 91 PTS - WA

wa91"The 2015 Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine is a super effort. It's 70% Grenache with the rest split equally between Syrah and Mourvèdre, aged in steel and/or concrete, yet shows a fine dusting of ground spices atop ripe cherry fruit. This full-bodied wine is plush and creamy in texture and maybe a touch warm but really persistent on the finish. - Joe Czerwinski"

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #233, October 2017), 91 pts

Go To Cazaux Gigondas Tour Sarrasine

 

2015 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 90-92 PTS - WA

2015 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 90-92 PTS - WA

wa"My favorite of the lineup, the 2015 Cuvee de la Tour Sarrasine is a tank-aged blend of mostly Grenache with some Syrah and Mourvèdre. Its deep purple color is followed by notable tannins, a charming, Provencal personality and terrific notes of black raspberries, spiced meats, licorice and garrigue. It should drink well for 8-10 years. - Jeb Dunnuck"

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #228, December 2016), 90-92 pts

Go To Cazaux Gigondas Tour Sarrasine

 

2015 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 90 PTS - JD

2015 Le Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine - 90 PTS - JD

jeb dunnuck logo 250"The 2015 Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine is cut from the same cloth and has plenty of game, leather, pepper and earth aromas and flavors, with ripe black fruits coming through with time in the glass. A blend of 70% Grenache and 15% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, from limestone soils on the southern end of the appellation, drink this old-school, medium-bodied, balanced 2015 anytime over the coming decade."

- Jeb Dunnuck (October 2017), 90 pts

Go To Cazaux Gigondas Tour Sarrasine

 

Producer Information: Domaine Le Clos des Cazaux

Founded in 1905 by Gabriel Archimbaud, Domaine Clos de Cazaux is now run by his grandsons Jean-Michel and Frédéric Vache.
The Vache and Archimbaud families are amongst the oldest ...
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