PIERRE GAILLARD CLOS DE CUMINAILLE SAINT JOSEPH 2021 750ml

ABOUT THE WINE

Famille Pierre Gaillard is a celebrated winemaking dynasty rooted in the sun-drenched hills of France's Northern Rhône Valley. Founded in 1981 by Pierre Gaillard—a passionate viticulturist trained in Beaune and Montpellier—the family estate began humbly in Malleval. Pierre, alongside his wife Pascale, cleared rocky terrains and planted their inaugural vines at Clos de Cuminaille in the Saint-Joseph appellation, reviving ancient Roman-era sites by hand. Today, spanning over 77 hectares across Saint-Joseph, Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Crozes-Hermitage, and extensions into Faugères and Banyuls, the domaine embodies schist-rich terroirs that yield elegant, complex wines. Pierre's children—Jeanne, Pierre-Antoine, and Elise—now co-steer the venture, upholding sustainable practices and a finesse-driven philosophy. Their Syrahs burst with violet, pepper, and mineral depth, while Viogniers offer floral opulence. Hailed by critics for purity and balance, Famille Pierre Gaillard wines capture the Rhône's wild, timeless spirit.
Nestled on the steep, east-facing slopes of Chavanay in France's Northern Rhône Valley, Clos de Cuminaille is a historic single-vineyard gem revived by visionary winemaker Pierre Gaillard in 1981. This ancient Roman-era site, now a cornerstone of Famille Pierre Gaillard, spans schist and granite soils ideal for Syrah. The 2021 vintage, 100% hand-harvested Syrah, reflects a challenging yet rewarding year marked by spring frost and summer heat, yielding low yields but concentrated fruit. Aged 18 months in fine-grain oak barrels (10% new), it embodies Gaillard's finesse-driven ethos: minimal intervention, sustainable farming, and terroir purity. Elegant and structured, this Saint-Joseph red (13.5% ABV) captivates with its balance of power and grace, earning praise for its vibrant freshness and aging potential. A testament to family legacy, where Pierre's children now co-lead, it showcases the Rhône's wild elegance.

TASTING NOTE:

Deep ruby hue with violet edges heralds an aromatic bouquet of ripe black cherries, wild raspberries, and crushed violets, laced with cracked black pepper, smoky licorice, and subtle mocha from oak integration. On the palate, succulent dark fruits burst forth, framed by zesty acidity that counters the vintage's warmth, ensuring lively poise. Fine, silky tannins—velvety yet precise—build a harmonious structure, weaving in mineral schist notes and hints of bacon fat for classic Syrah depth. Medium-bodied with a spicy, floral lift, it finishes long and vibrant, echoing fresh herbs and graphite. Approachable now with decanting, yet promises evolution into more complex layers of earth and leather. Pair with grilled lamb or wild game for synergy. Overall: fresh, spicy, and elegantly powerful.