Hi, I’m Kim, a passionate lover of wine, food, and any experience that brings the two together! In this weekly blog post, I share my thoughts on a wine that I’ve recently purchased from one of our local independent wine merchants. If you’d like to know more about me, I’ve included a brief bio following the post.
2022 Domaine Saint-Damien La Louisiane
Gigondas AOC
French red wine
Marquis Wine Cellars, 1034 Davie Street, Vancouver
$54.99
Domaine Saint-Damien is a leading estate in France’s Southern Rhone Valley run by the Saurel family, who have established a reputation for crafting powerful yet balanced, terroir-driven Gigondas. La Louisiane is among the domaine’s most acclaimed cuvées, made from low-yielding vines with an average age of 50 years. The blend features predominantly Grenache, with Mouvèdre, Syrah, and Cinsault rounding out the mix. Grapes are sourced from a specific lieu-dit (a named site) on a south-facing slope in the foothills of the Dentelles de Montmirail, overlooking the village of Gigondas. Known for its concentration, polish, and seamless balance, La Louisiane consistently delivers both immediate appeal and impressive aging potential of 10–15 years or more, earning regular praise from leading critics.
In a vintage marked by a relentless heatwave, the La Louisiane conveys balance and restraint, a true testament to the resilience of the mature vines and the domaine’s skills. Medium ruby in colour, the wine opens with an expressive nose of ripe red fruit—cherry and raspberry—layered with white pepper, cinnamon, and a warm, inviting note reminiscent of cherry cobbler, underscored by a subtle touch of that Southern Rhone garrigue. The palate is medium to full-bodied, echoing the red fruit character with layers of spice. Though the alcohol reaches 15%, fresh acidity brings balance and energy, keeping the wine agile rather than heavy. Moderate, well-integrated tannins support a long, savoury finish.
Pair Gigondas with rich savoury dishes that complement its intense fruit and pepper notes, such as roasted lamb, rich stews, or, for a vegetarian option, a mushroom risotto. I served mine with a Moroccan-style lamb tagine.
#Gigondaswine #Mouvèdre #Rhônewines
Kim Mead is a Vancouver-based wine and food writer. She holds the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines with Merit, the French Wine Scholar designation with Honours, and Italian Wine Essentials certification. She is currently pursuing the Bordeaux Master’s program with the Wine Scholar Guild. Kim serves as Cellar Master for the Vancouver chapter of the International Wine and Food Society and is a member of the Commanderie de Bordeaux. Follow her @agalandaglass