Domaine de la Solitude Famille Lançon 2019 Gigondas Bellecoste

70% Grenache/15% Syrah/8% Cinsault/7% Mourvèdre

The Lançon family, owners of Domaine de la Solitude, descend directly from the 12th Century Barberini family of Rome. The best known of the family, Maffeo Barberini, was a papal nuncio, or diplomatic representative, in Paris from 1604 to 1606, and was made Pope in Rome under the name Pope Urban VIII. Two of his nephews became cardinals and a part of the family then settled down in Avignon. In the 1980s, brothers Michel and Jean Lançon took the future of Domaine de la Solitude in their hands, focusing attention on the vineyards. Over the past several years, Michel’s son Florent Lançon has taken over the day-to-day operations of Domaine de la Solitude, continuing to make improvements while preserving the traditions of his father and uncle. The Estate is a contiguous 100 acres, planted to 86 acres of red grapes and 14.8 acres of white grapes, with vines averaging 50 years of age.

The Dentelles de Montmirail is also a land of famous vineyards. This terroir produces the prestigious wines of Beaumes de Venise (AOC Muscat Beaumes de Venise) and Rasteau, with their reds and sweet wines, and Gigondas and Vacqueyras with their Côtes-du-Rhone red wines. The vineyard is cultivated with the greatest respect for nature and people. The grapes come from terroirs located on the southern slope of the Dentelles de Montmirail. Those terroirs, among the highest of the appellation, are located between 400 and 500 meters above sea level. A magnificent hillside whose soil is made of red clay and limestone glow. Such soils naturally give small yields. For vintage 2019, 30 hectoliters/hectare.

The aromas of black fruits along with red fruits join the flavors of garrigue and black olives. Powerful tannins blend into a long finish. The grapes are vinified in whole bunches in concrete tanks. The vatting lasts a fortnight with gentle extractions. Aging takes place for 70% in vats and for 30% in barrels of several wines.