Lavau Gigondas 2013

Lavau Gigondas 2013 is a Southern Rhône red wine from the Gigondas appellation, available in a standard 750ml bottle. This blend earned 91 points from Wine Spectator and was ranked #72 on the publication's prestigious Top 100 Wines of 2015 list — a significant distinction for a Gigondas at its price tier.

Quick Facts: Origin: Gigondas, Southern Rhône Valley, France  |  Vintage: 2013  |  Blend: 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre  |  Producer: Lavau (Benoit & Frédéric Lavau)

Production & Heritage

Lavau is a family-run operation led by brothers Benoit and Frédéric Lavau in the Southern Rhône Valley. The Gigondas vineyards sit at higher elevations on the slopes of the Dentelles de Montmirail mountains, where soils range from gravelly clay on the flat plains to crumbled limestone and sheer bedrock higher up the Dentelles. The 2013 vintage was aged in a combination of vat and used barrels, preserving the fruit-forward character of the blend while adding subtle structure without overwhelming oak influence.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with deep, amplifying layers of blackberry, cassis, and cherry, followed by anise and a subtle, incense-like quality. Ripe plum and dark chocolate notes round out a complex and inviting aromatic profile.

Taste: On the palate, bright blackberry fruit leads the entry, with raspberry coulis and chocolate emerging on the mid-palate. The wine is racy and high-pitched, carrying red currant and cherry alongside white pepper, violet, and a distinctive chalky minerality. Impeccable balance ties together warm, ripe red and black fruit with roasted herbal undertones.

Finish: The finish is medium-long with lingering notes of cherry liqueur, dark berries, and a faint peppery warmth. A fine-grained, chalky texture carries through to the end, leaving a clean and satisfying impression.

How to Drink Lavau Gigondas

This wine shows best at cellar temperature, around 60–65°F, with 30 minutes of decanting to open up its layered aromatics. Enjoy it neat alongside a meal or on its own for a contemplative pour. For a Sangria, the blackberry and cherry intensity holds up against citrus and sweetener without losing its identity. In a Mulled Wine, the existing anise and white pepper notes integrate seamlessly with warm spices like cinnamon and clove. As a base for a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola), the wine's robust fruit and structure stand up to the sweetness for an unexpectedly satisfying casual drink.

Best For

• Gifting a Rhône Valley wine enthusiast exploring appellations beyond Châteauneuf-du-Pape
• Pairing with a hearty winter dinner of braised lamb or grilled meats
• Adding a critically acclaimed bottle to a Southern Rhône collection
• Hosting a blind tasting comparing Gigondas to neighboring Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Lavau Gigondas taste like? Lavau Gigondas 2013 delivers ripe blackberry and cherry fruit with supporting notes of dark chocolate, white pepper, violet, and a chalky mineral finish. The overall impression is bright, balanced, and medium-bodied with warm herbal undertones.

How does Lavau Gigondas compare to Châteauneuf-du-Pape? Gigondas is often called the "little brother" of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, sharing similar Grenache-dominant blends but typically offering a slightly lighter, more mineral-driven profile thanks to the limestone soils of the Dentelles de Montmirail. Lavau Gigondas 2013 provides much of the dark-fruit richness of a mid-range Châteauneuf at a more accessible price point.

Is Lavau Gigondas good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the wine's 91-point Wine Spectator score reflects its complexity and balance, making it a rewarding pour on its own, especially with a brief decanting to let the aromatics unfold.

Where is Lavau Gigondas made? Lavau Gigondas is produced in the Gigondas appellation of the Southern Rhône Valley, France, from vineyards on the slopes of the Dentelles de Montmirail mountains. The Lavau family operation is run by brothers Benoit and Frédéric Lavau.

What foods pair well with Lavau Gigondas? Braised lamb shanks complement the wine's herbal and dark-fruit notes. Grilled sausages with roasted peppers echo the peppery, smoky undertones. Aged Comté or Gruyère cheese mirrors the chalky minerality. Duck confit matches the wine's richness and structure. A simple ratatouille highlights the Provençal character of the blend.

What sizes does Lavau Gigondas come in? Lavau Gigondas 2013 is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Lavau Gigondas worth the price? Lavau Gigondas 2013 positions as a strong value within the Southern Rhône, punching above its weight with a Wine Spectator 91-point score and a Top 100 placement that put it alongside far more expensive wines from neighboring appellations.

Why Lavau Gigondas?

Earning a spot on Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2015 at rank #72 is not a routine achievement for any Gigondas, and the 91-point score confirms serious quality. The higher-elevation limestone vineyards of the Dentelles de Montmirail give this wine a mineral backbone that distinguishes it from flatter, heavier Southern Rhône reds. The 50/40/10 blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre delivers a textbook expression of the appellation — bright fruit, peppery spice, and savory depth without relying on new oak. For anyone building a Rhône cellar or seeking a critically validated bottle from the 2013 vintage, this is a compelling and well-documented choice.