Gigondas Wine
Based just south of the pretty hill town of Sablet at their Domaine Saint-Gayan, Jean-Pierre Meffre and his son-in-law Christian-Yves Carré de Lusançay produce characterful wines from mature rootstock. Jean-Pierre's family have been making wine here for over 500 years. Their celebrated Gigondas is made from 85% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre and is a rich, dark brooding wine with a core of black fruit supported by rugged tannins that will sweeten and soften with (10 years plus) age.
A couple of kilometres further south in Vacqueyras, négociant-vinificateur Yves-Cheron is an equally gifted winemaker, with a terrific track record at his 'Pascal Frères' operation. He produces highly-accessible, fruit-forward, Grenache-based reds that have acquired a loyal following among the Yapp cognoscenti. His 'Grand Montmirail' bottlings of Vacqueyras and Gigondas are from his personal vine-holdings and have more concentration and aging potential than the 'Pascal Frères' cuvées, which are immediately accessible from release.