96 points,

Rhone Report, The, March 2011

From the estate's oldest vines, the 2007 Domaine Saint-Damien Gigondas La Louisiane, a blend of 80% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, and 5% Cinsault - from 70- to 80-year-old vines - is a gorgeously structured, classic wine that's loaded with plum and sun baked black fruits, melted licorice, bakers chocolate, toasted spice, and huge minerality. The mineral component is really something here and the image of licking a dry rock isn't far off. Full bodied on the palate, with superb precision and focus, a rich, full texture, perfect balance, and a very long, structured finish, this straight-up awesome wine drinks well now due to the fruit, but should be incredibly long lived as well. This was even better on the second day, so if drinking anytime soon, I recommend a healthy decant. Stunning stuff.

95 points,

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, October 2009

The 2007 Gigondas Louisiane (80% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, and 5% Cinsault from 70- to 80-year-old vines) merited 98 points at one tasting, but I'll be conservative here. This amazing wine possesses a dense purple color as well as an extraordinary nose of a liqueur of rocks intermixed with cassis, kirsch, licorice, incense, and spring flowers. Made from incredibly low yields of 22 hectoliters per hectare (which no doubt explains the remarkable focus, concentration, richness, and 50-second finish), this historic Gigondas is a tour de force in winemaking. It should drink well for 20+ years.

I was blown away by how the 2007 Gigondas cuvees, which I had rated very highly from barrel last year, had put on weight and texture, and had become essentially as compelling as Gigondas can be. Clearly Saint-Damien's young proprietor, Joel Saurel, has moved this estate alongside the appellation's two superstars, Domaine Santa Duc and Chateau Saint-Cosme. The three cuvees of 2007 Gigondas are absolutely profound. I am not sure I haven't underrated them as I had them on two separate occasions and the numerical scores listed are actually from the lower rated tasting. Come what may, these are unreal wines. For statisticians, these wines are aged 6-8 weeks in cement tanks before they are moved to old wood foudres for 12 months prior to being bottled unfined and unfiltered. The renowned Philippe Cambie is the consultant. All three of these Gigondas cuvees are amazing wines. Kudos to Joel Saurel!

92 -93 points,

Stephen Tanzer's IWC, February 2010

Bright purple. Sexy aromas of black raspberry and cherry preserves, with suave incense and Asian spice notes adding complexity. Sappy and smooth, showing an array of red and dark berry flavors, with silky tannins adding support. Really alluring wine with strong finishing lift and excellent clarity.

91 points,

Wine Spectator, February 2011

Ripe and well-layered, with fig, boysenberry and currant paste flavors interwoven with dark licorice and espresso. The rich, velvety finish lets the fig and boysenberry notes take an encore. Drink now through 2014. 75 cases imported. -JM

About Winery

Proprietor Joel Saurel, backed up by the inimitable Philippe Cambie as his consultant, has transformed this estate into one of the greatest in Gigondas, rivaling the two top producers, Yves Gras' Santa Duc and Louis Barruol's Saint Cosme.
~ Robert Parker

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