Description

PRODUCER NOTE:
Saint Damien was an early Christian saint (martyred in the year 287 A.D.), who was considered to be the patron saint of doctors. A chapel was built in his honour in the tiny hamlet of La Baumette, just outside the village of Gigondas, where Joel Saurel the owner of the domain lives. In 1979, the name Saint Damien was introduced into the name of the domain. Four generations have worked on this family estate since 1821 and in 2013 Romain joined his father on the estate. It has been certified organic since 2012.

VINTAGE:
The vintage 2022 is rich in tannins and therefore the wines have a superb structure which is complemented by a rich sweetness.

VINEYARD:
The vines are grown in the limestone and clay soils of the parcels situated on the hillside terraces of Gigondas. The vines are grown in the named plot or ‘lieu dit’ of Souteyrades, which is situated in the south of the appellation. The Grenache vines date back to 1948 and the Mourvèdre vines to 1977, these old vines are naturally low yielding and produce rich, concentrated juice. The vineyard is certified organic; no chemical pesticides or herbicides are used, instead natural techniques are employed to preserve the environment and the biodiversity of the vineyard.

WINEMAKING:
The grapes were harvested at optimal ripeness. They then underwent a long six week fermentation with indigenous yeasts in concrete vats. The resulting wine was matured for 12 months in oak barrels and was bottled without any fining and just a gentle filtration.

TASTING NOTE:
This full-bodied, layered and rich wine has intense flavours of warm fig, dark chocolate and spicy fruitcake. Complex and powerful on the palate with fine-grained tannins and a deliciously long finish.

GRAPE:
Grenache 80%, Mourvedre 20%

COUNTRY:
France

REGION:
Rhone

SUB-REGION:
Gigondas