What Sets Les Pallières Apart
by Kermit Lynch
What Sets Les Pallières Apart
by Kermit Lynch
Les Pallières is unique in the Gigondas appellation. For one thing, its northwestern exposure and its altitude give a Gigondas renowned over the centuries for its uncommon finesse. Today, the old vines the Bruniers and I purchased in 1998 are slowing down in terms of production. But what marvelous juice. Our yields are much closer to Château d’Yquem’s than to our neighbors’ throughout the southern Rhône. In 2012 the old vines produced about half the normal yields, and even a bit less in 2013. That may not be great for the profit margin, but for you—notice that there is more wine in your glass of Gigondas, more wine in the wine, as it were, and more wine for your money. Yet, as ample and mouth-filling as it is, it still shows the celebrated finesse of Pallières.
There are depths to plumb, serious stuff that invite the taster to explore deeper and deeper into the core of the wine.
Terrasse has black réglisse in the aroma, plus a seductive freshness in the bouquet and on the palate. A grippy tannin emerges at the end and helps lengthen the aftertaste.
Racines is more toward black pepper and spice throughout the taste experience. While its tannin is slightly firmer than you will find in Terrasse, it is enveloped in sumptuous flesh. Harmonious, fine—that is the great strength, the trademark of the Pallières terroir.
If you like aged wines, both are built for the long haul. For drinking right now, I’ll uncork the Terrasse, because it is currently more showy aromatically.
By the way, in the vineyard and in the winery, Pallières is as natural as wine can be except for a minimal dose of SO2. For wines made from organic grapes, up to 100 milligrams per liter are allowed. At Pallières, we add from 15 to 20. That has proven sufficient to keep stable every vintage we have produced since we bought the property in 1998. And for those to whom it is important, imported yeasts have never been employed.
** This was first published in our April 2014 newsletter and the vines have only gotten older, offering even lower yields—but more character—than ten years ago. The exception is Les Pallières’ rosé, which comes from younger vines, but is nevertheless so expressive and painstakingly made. **
Wines In The Collection
Domaine Les Pallières France | Southern Rhône
Les Pallières’s rosé looks ethereal—you might easily mistake it for a white wine—yet when you take a sip, your taste buds are flooded by intensely vivid flavors of Provençal herbs.
Domaine Les Pallières France | Southern Rhône
The palate is dense and ripe, yet wonderfully smooth and elegant. Racines seems to tap into the history of Les Pallières, the prestige and the high-toned elegance.
Domaine Les Pallières France | Southern Rhône
An abundance of violets and velvet, amid a cooling sensation of a cold spring on a hot day.
France | Southern Rhône
Les Pallières’s rosé looks ethereal—you might easily mistake it for a white wine—yet when you take a sip, your taste buds are flooded by intensely vivid flavors of Provençal herbs.
France | Southern Rhône
The palate is dense and ripe, yet wonderfully smooth and elegant. Racines seems to tap into the history of Les Pallières, the prestige and the high-toned elegance.
France | Southern Rhône
An abundance of violets and velvet, amid a cooling sensation of a cold spring on a hot day.
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