Les Pallieres is a 500 year old estate that is located in the northeast corner of Gigondas and is now owned by Domaine Vieux Telegraphe and importer Kermit Lynch. The extremely old vines average 50+ years with many at 60-100 years, and the wine is made by Daniel Brunier from Vieux Telegraphe. After he picks his grapes in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, he heads over to Gigondas for picking there since the vineyard's cooler micro-climate allows for a longer hangtime of the grapes. The Gigondas appellation is located in the southern Rhone Valley, and this estate is near the Dentelles du Montmirail, a string of limestone cliffs that separates the Rhone Valley from Mount Ventoux. While this limestone playground is a favorite of hikers and climbers, it is also a key aspect for the vineyards of the southern Rhone and their terroir: good draining, chalky, calciferous soil that gives way to hard pack red clay -- both of which are excellent for the red grape vines of the Rhone. The 2007 Terrasse de Diable is made of 90% Grenache, 5% Mourvèdre and 5% Clairette from vines averaging 45 years.

'This is one of the more splendidly situated properties in Gigondas with vineyards planted on clay/limestone terraces. Knowing the pricipals who are now controlling this estate's destiny, Les Pallieres should emerge as one of the super-star estates of the southern Rhone.' Robert Parker

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