Domaine du Clos des Tourelles Gigondas 2015

Domaine du Clos des Tourelles Gigondas 2015 is a full-bodied southern Rhône red wine bottled at 15% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Earning a 93/100 Wine-Searcher Critics Score for the 2015 vintage, this unfiltered cuvée from Famille Perrin stands out for its whole-cluster fermentation and the singular terroir of an enclosed vineyard with rare sandy-calcareous soils.

Quick Facts: ABV: 15%  |  Origin: Gigondas, Rhône Valley, France  |  Vintage: 2015  |  Producer: Famille Perrin

Production & Heritage

Famille Perrin — one of the Rhône Valley's most prominent wine families and proprietors of Château de Beaucastel — assumed control of this estate in 2008. The enclosed vineyard, or clos, sits on a northwest-facing slope that benefits from a notably cool microclimate for Gigondas, allowing extended hang time and late harvests. Soils here are calcareous with a distinctive sandy matrix found nowhere else in the appellation. The 2015 is a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, fermented as whole clusters with indigenous yeast — no destemming — then aged 15 months in oak casks before being bottled without filtration. This hands-off approach preserves the raw character of the fruit and the site's terroir fingerprint.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The glass opens with concentrated black raspberry and black cherry, followed by violet, undergrowth, and a wave of dried garrigue herbs. A peppery lift and subtle licorice undertone emerge as the wine breathes.

Taste: The entry is mouth-filling and dense, with ripe stone fruit and dark cherry dominating the front palate. At mid-palate, tobacco ash, leather, and mineral-laced dark blackberry build in layers. The 15% alcohol is well-integrated, lending warmth without heat, while fine-grained tannins provide structure beneath the fruit's generosity.

Finish: Long, silky, and remarkably polished for its weight. Lingering notes of pepper, garrigue spice, and crushed stone persist through a finish that slowly fades into earthy, floral resonance.

How to Drink Clos des Tourelles Gigondas 2015

Decant for at least 45 minutes to an hour and serve at 60–65°F (16–18°C). A large-bowled Burgundy glass helps channel the aromatic complexity. This is a wine built for the table: pair it with braised lamb shoulder, where the wine's dark fruit and garrigue echo the herbs in the braise; slow-roasted pork belly with a black cherry reduction that mirrors the wine's fruit core; or aged Comté cheese, whose nutty depth complements the earthy, mineral finish.

Best For

• Gifting a serious Rhône wine enthusiast exploring top-tier Gigondas
• Anchoring a southern French dinner menu alongside grilled or braised meats
• Building a cellar with age-worthy Rhône reds from strong vintages
• Sharing at a tasting focused on Grenache-dominant blends and terroir differences

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Clos des Tourelles Gigondas 2015 taste like? It is a dense, full-bodied red dominated by black cherry, black raspberry, and stone fruit, layered with garrigue, pepper, tobacco, and leather. Fine tannins and a silky finish balance its considerable 15% ABV.

How does Clos des Tourelles Gigondas compare to Châteauneuf-du-Pape? Gigondas is often called the "little brother" of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, sharing a similar Grenache-driven profile and southern Rhône terroir but typically at a lower price point. Clos des Tourelles narrows that gap considerably in quality — its whole-cluster fermentation and unfiltered bottling produce a depth and complexity that rivals many mid-range Châteauneuf bottlings.

Is Clos des Tourelles Gigondas 2015 good for cellaring? Yes — the concentrated fruit, firm tannic backbone, and high extract from whole-cluster fermentation give this wine strong aging potential. The 2015 vintage in the southern Rhône was widely regarded as excellent, and this bottling should continue to develop for several more years.

Where is Clos des Tourelles Gigondas made? It is produced in the Gigondas appellation within the southern Rhône Valley of France, from a walled vineyard (clos) managed by Famille Perrin. The specific site sits on a northwest-facing slope with a cool microclimate and unique sandy-calcareous soils.

What foods pair well with Clos des Tourelles Gigondas 2015? Braised lamb shanks with herbes de Provence complement the wine's garrigue character. Grilled venison steaks match its dark fruit intensity. Beef daube provençale echoes its earthy, spiced depth. Tapenade-topped crostini bridge the wine's olive and herb undertones. Aged hard cheeses like Comté or Manchego provide a nutty counterpoint to the wine's tannin structure.

What sizes does Clos des Tourelles Gigondas 2015 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is Clos des Tourelles Gigondas 2015 worth the price? It positions as a premium Gigondas, justified by its single-site terroir, whole-cluster fermentation, unfiltered bottling, and the Famille Perrin pedigree. Within the broader context of southern Rhône reds scoring 93 points from Wine-Searcher critics, it represents strong value compared to similarly rated Châteauneuf-du-Pape bottlings.

Why Clos des Tourelles Gigondas 2015?

What separates this wine from the broader Gigondas field is its unusual vineyard: a true clos with northwest exposure and sandy-calcareous soils that create a cooler, later-ripening environment in an appellation known for heat. Famille Perrin's decision to ferment whole clusters with native yeast and bottle without filtration lets that singular terroir speak clearly. The 2015 vintage — warm and dry across the southern Rhône — gave the fruit exceptional concentration, and the 15-month oak aging adds structure without masking the site's identity. For drinkers who want to understand what Gigondas can achieve at its ceiling, this is a compelling reference point.