Domaine Saint-Damien 2010 La Louisiane - 92pts

Domaine Saint-Damien 2010 La Louisiane (Gigondas) Rhône Valley - France

Availability: Limited availability. Private wine stores.
Cost: $35-38
Alcohol: 15%
Date Tasted: May 20th, 2016

Tasting Notes: From the cellar. A superb Gigondas sourced from the Domaine's red alluvial soil plots in the appellation nicknamed "La Louisiane". Reliably a blend of 80% Grenache and 15% Mourvedre with the remaining 5% a split of Syrah and Cinsault, offering a robust, developed bouquet of ripe, spicy-blueberry, clove, anise, dried cherry, sweet coffee, cooking spice and stinky cheese aromas. 

The dry palate is formidable with great, flavour intensity and a rich, glycerol-infused body. The finish is long with pepper, herbs, cocoa powder and dried blackberry flavours lingering. 

Just starting to mature. Give it another 2 years in the cellar to begin to peak. Drink 2018-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Domaine Saint-Damien 2011 Gigondas - 91+pts

Domaine Saint-Damien 2011 Vieilles Vignes (Gigondas) Rhône Valley - France

Availability: Limited availability. Private wine stores.
Cost: $35-38
Alcohol: 15%
Date Tasted: June 6, 2015

Tasting Notes: A gorgeous, rich, warm and raisonated blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvedre sourced from 40 year old vineyards in the Gigondas AOC. Deep and layered with intense dark fruit, garrigue, earth, sweet plum, cigar box, spice and cedar aromas and flavours. Barely ready, better to wait another 2-3 years prior to opening. Drink 2017-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Domaine Saint-Damien 2013 Vieilles Vignes - 89+pts

Domaine Saint-Damien 2013 Vieilles Vignes (Côtes du Rhône) Rhône Valley - France

Availability: Limited availability. Private wine stores.
Cost: $30 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: February 15th, 2015

Tasting Notes: Big, round and bursting with aromas of roasted herbs, bramble-y red fruits and sun-soaked rocks, this blend of 80% Grenache, 15% Carignan and 5% Mourvèdre is sourced from vineyards ranging from 35-65 years of age, and offers fabulous value for money. The 2013 edition offers more residual sugar on the medium-bodied palate than recent vintages have, but we're still well clear of sweet California reds territory. Look for good continuity from the nose with similar flavours on the well-structured palate and lasting spice on the satisfying finish. Drink one now and put another away for another 2-3 years of further development. Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Domaine Saint-Damien 2011 Vieilles Vignes - 89pts

Domaine Saint-Damien 2011 Vieilles Vignes (Côtes du Rhône) Rhône Valley - France

Availability: Limited availability. Private wine stores.
Cost: $21-25
Alcohol: 15%
Date Tasted: June 15th, 2014

Tasting Notes: This blend of 80% Grenache, 15% Carignan and 5% Mourvèdre opens with a dense, meaty nose of dark fruit, forest floor, cedar, coffee grinds, dry herbs and violet aromas. Similar flavours follow on the dry palate where the 15% alcohol is impressively masked by the concentration of the dark fruit and savoury elements. While, medium-plus acidity and tannins keep the wine balanced and structured beautifully through to the moderate, spicy finish. Seek-out this expressive and moderately priced Côtes du Rhône charmer at your local French wine speciality store. Drink one now and put another away for another 2-3 years of further development. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Domaine Saint-Damien 2007 Côtes du Rhône Vieilles Vignes - 90pts

Domaine Saint-Damien 2007 Côtes du Rhône Vieilles Vignes (Côtes du Rhône) Southern Rhône Valley - France

Availability: Limited availability. Private wine stores.

Cost: $21-25

Alcohol: 15%

Date Tasted: May 20th, 2010

Tasting Notes: Opening with a pungent and powerful nose of meaty, forest floor this fabulous Côtes du Rhône gem may overload the sense of some wine drinkers. However, those willing to to be patient with the wine to open up and then venture forth will be handsomely rewarded.

This Grenache, Carignan and Mouvedre blend warms your nose and palate with it's heated aromas of warm, sun-drenched, mossy stones and bold dark berries. The 15% alcohol is impressively masked by the concentration of fruit and savory flavors. The palate is dry with medium-plus acidity and tannins with a balanced, lingering finish. Seek-out this expressive and moderately priced Southern Rhône charmer at your local French wine specialist store. Drink one now and put one away for another 2-3 years for further development.
 - Liam Carrier