Description
Wine Details
Vinification/ Aging: Manual harvest with sorting and total destemming. Malolactic fermentation in barrel. Aged 18 months fine oak barrels (15% to 20% new) with racking and use of oxygen. Gaillard’s philosophy is his “wines must express clear and precise fruity aromas, with a profound color and refined tannins.”
Alcohol Grade: 13.5%
Aging Potential: 10+ years
Best to have it: 16ºC
Size: 750 ml
The Producer: Pierre Gaillard
Domaine Pierre Gaillard, located in Malleva, is a relatively new producer in the Cote Rotie appellation. The domaine was founded in 1986 with only .25 hectares of vines. If you recall the parable, “Mighty oaks from little acorns grow,” this is clearly what has taken place with Domaine Pierre Gaillard.
Prior to founding his own estate, Pierre Gaillard was experienced in everything to do with Cote Rotie. In fact, Pierre Gaillard helped plant the first vines used in the famous wine of La Turque for Guigal.
Today, Domaine Pierre Gaillard owns 25 hectares vines in the Northern Rhone. However, he is in charge of 77 hectares of vines in total. The cellars are situated in the Malleval commune.
Much of their vineyards in Cote Rotie are located in the Cote Rozier lieu-dit, with its steep, granite and schist soils. They also own vines in the La Vialliere, Champet and Fongeant lieux-dits.
The majority of the grapes are sourced from Gaillard’s estate vineyards that run along the steep slopes facing east and south-east in Malleval that plunge down to the Rhone. Gaillard insists on low yields for his wines. He believes it contributes to the St. Joseph terroir’s denser personality and promotes the more obvious mineral impact.90% Syrah, 10% Viognier.
