Gigondas: Pierre Amadieu
Website: https://www.pierre-amadieu.com/en/
Pierre Amadieu is an important producer in Gigondas, with around 10% of the appellation’s vineyard area. They have 130 hectares of vines and were one of the first to bottle Gigondas in the 1920s. I met two of the family, out of six who are working in the firm. Henri-Claude Amadieu, who sells the wines, and gave me a tasting over dinner, and then winemaker Pierre Amadieu at lunch the following day.
Pierre Amadieu Domaine Grand Romane Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2021
The last year before this became Gigondas Blanc. 80% Clairette co planted with Grenache Blanc and some Piquepoul. Fine, textural and bright with lovely citrus and pear fruit. Has some depth with fine spices and notes of aniseed. Lovely balance. 93/100
Pierre Amadieu Domaine Grand Romane Gigondas Blanc 2023
100% Clairette. 12.5% alcohol. Lively, complex and aromatic. There’s some oak here adding a savoury, spicy edge, and lots of bright citrus fruit with some subtle peachy richness. Linear with some saline notes on the finish. 92/100
Pierre Amadieu Gigondas Rosé Romane Machotte 2023
13.5% alcohol. Bright, lively and pure with lovely texture, fine spices and some pear drop and cherry notes. Quite delicate and fine with a rounded texture. 92/100
Pierre Amadieu Le Pas de L’Aigle Gigondas 2014
This is named after a small pass in the limestone cliffs. It’s mostly Grenache from 500 m, north facing, and a cold, rainy vintage. Lively and bright with lovely black cherry and some raspberry. There’s a little development here, but not much: it still feels fresh and expressive with nice fine-grained tannins and some chalky detail. Bright with a salty edge and interesting mineral notes. 95/100
Pierre Amadieu Domaine Grand Romane Gigondas 2022
Grenache noir 65%, Mourvèdre 20%, Syrah 15%. This is quite structured with grainy, gravelly tannins sitting under the sweet cherry and berry fruits. A firm wine, but with freshness as well as the generous, sweet fruit. The Mourvèdre is making its presence felt here: really appealing with potential for ageing. 94/100
Pierre Amadieu Domaine Grande Romane Gigondas 2004
Planted 1954-1965. This is 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre and 15% Syrah, with Grenache in foudre, Syrah in old oak and Mourvedre whole cluster in new oak. Concentrated, fresh and complex with some earthy development and a savoury, spicy twist. This has nice texture and good acidity with some grippy tannins and a lively personality. So fresh for a wine that’s almost 20 years old now. 94/100
MAISON PIERRE AMADIEU
201 Rte des Princes Orange, 84190 Gigondas
04 90 65 84 08
contact@pierre-amadieu.com
RHÔNE DISCOVERY
- Ventoux: a big tasting
- Ventoux: Les Chancel
- Ventoux: Aymard
- Ventoux: Souleyrol
- Ventoux: Château Pesquié
- Ventoux: Xavier Vignon
- Gigondas: an overview
- Gigondas: Saint Cosme
- Gigondas: Tasting the first white Gigondas wines
- Gigondas: Domaine Les Florets
- Gigondas: Santa Duc
- Gigondas: Pierre Amadieu
- Gigondas: Domaine des Bousquets
- Gigondas: a big tasting of Gigondas wines
