Pierre Gaillard

8/1/2019 Pierre Gaillard

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Pierre GaillardMalleval, Northern Rhne

When Pierre Gaillard was 12 years old he was caught ploughing a nearby vineyard with a horse. Since

then he has gone on, naturally, to study oenology, viticulture, and work as vineyard manager for MarcelGuigal before establishing his own domain based in St Joseph.

Pierre Gaillard has slowly built up a portfolio of vineyards since 1981 when he bought his first plot: Clos

de Cuminailles in Malleval. His prize vineyard plots cover the best parts of the Northern Rhne in Cte

Rtie, Condrieu, Cornas, and Crozes-Hermitage as well as his treasured vineyards in St Joseph.

In 1987, he established his business in the upper part of the medieval town of Malleval and in 2002, he

created the estate of Madeloc in Banyuls-sur-Mer. Finally, in 2007, he created the estate of Cottebrune in

Faugres. Today, Pierre manages a total of 77 hectares.Pierre s wife and three children: Jeanne, Elise and Pierre Antoine help himto manage the estate and take part of the winemaking process. Jeanne in

particular has studied oenology is a rising star and makes her own range ofwines as well as assisting her father with his. Elise has also graduated and

is in charge of the domaine in Roussillon at Madeloc. Pierre has alsograduated in winemaking in 2010 and has been working in vineyards in

New Zealand since. There is a buzz about the domain!

So good are Pierre Gaillard s wines that Jancis Robinson MW has said that upon tasting his top St Joseph

Les Pierres that she, could almost have taken it for a Cte Rtie . This is praise indeed for an appellation

that has long been overlooked.Pierre has not look backwards and has worked alongside Franois Villard and Yves Cuilleron with the

Vins de Vienne project and has also branched out to Faugeres and Banyuls/Collioure.

The Gaillard s have gone from strength to strength and are this year s hottest tip for value and quality.Every wine from the Vin de Pays (AOP) to their top Cte Rtie and Condrieu are exemplary and will

excite any lover of good wine.

The Pierre Gaillard range of wines is available in limited quantities only. The red wines are available in Ireland

now and the whites are due to be bottled in June.


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Cte Rtie

Cte Rtie The Roasted Slope is one of the oldest vineyards in France and was established by the Romans. TheCte Rtie with its hills bathed in sun, produces a warm, robust, full-bodied, richly coloured red wine. Powerful

and dark when they are young these wines become softer, more velvety and develop with age an excellent bouquet.

Two grape-varieties dominate the production: Viognier and Syrah.Wines of Cte Rtie are considered as the best wines to be found in the Rhne valley. Cte Rtie can be divided

into two variants according to soil types: Cte Brune in the northern section with a grey-blue schist and mica soils

and Cte Blonde with quartz, soft feldspar and white mica soil which is noticeably lacking in nutrients. Wines from

Cte Brune are more upright, higher in tannins, black fruited and long lived. Wines from Cte Blonde are morefloral, red-fruited, delicate and elegant. In reality a good number of wines are a blend of grapes grown on the two

soils which adds to the layers and depth of the wines.

Pierre Gaillard Cte Rtie 2010Grape varieties: 90% Syrah, 10% Viognier

Soils: Blond and brown Schist.

Situated on slopes facing south/south-east of Ampuis, the vines are

planted on various types of soil. Some of the parcels are situated on

brown schist rich in iron oxide producing well-structured wines. The

others are located on blond schist composed of alluvium and loessbringing about more supple and aromatic wines.

Handpicked and with the malolactic fermentation made in barrels. A

small percentage of Viognier brings about additional aromatic

complexity, as well as a rich coating to tame the Syrah s tannins.

The wine spends 18 months in fine oak barrels from Allier and Nevers.

Each plot is vinified separately to obtain different wines expressing their own special character. These wines are

then blended to obtain a better balance between the strength and the elegance of these terroirs.

Distinguished in youth, but will develop superbly for at least 10 to 15 years. Big and rich with svelte, sexy

chocolate and truffle flavours and aromas

Pierre Gaillard Cte Rtie Rose Pourpre 2010

Grape varieties: 100 % Syrah.

Soils: Brown schist, rich in iron oxide.

Made from a venerated and tiny plot of vines in Cte Rozier; an

amphitheater facing south, with many dried stone walls which captureand hold the warmth of the sun creating particularly generous and

reliable micro-climate. The Cte Rozier is so steep that winches and

ladders are often used to work in the vines.

Handpicked and with the malolactic fermentation made in barrels.

The wine spends 18 months in fine oak barrels from Allier and Nevers

with the final selection made from the best casks one month before

bottling.

It is best to keep this wine in the cellar for a minimum of 3 years. After this it will age superbly for at least 15

years. This is a meaty, rich and powerful wine with smokey spices and velvety palate.


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Condrieu

The Condrieu appellation is regarded as producing some of the most exceptional wines in the Rhne

valley. The vineyards cover only 105 hectares and the only grape variety used is Viognier. Viognierproduces rich and very aromatic wines that these days are so highly regarded all around the world it is

hard to imagine that in 1970 there was only 13.7ha in existence. The home and origin of Viognier isCondrieu, and it s tiny neighbor, Chteau Grillet, and it is where it reaches its apogee of power, depth and

personality.

Since 1970 the worldwide interest in Viognier has encouraged growers to reestablish the historic

vineyards of Condrieu with 135 ha now planted in the appellation. Viognier is recognized as an awkwardvine to grow and the best producers recognise that the best vineyards in the appellation favour the

opposite soils to Cte Rtie with the loose granite and white mica producing the most expressive and bestbalanced wines.

Condrieu is a full-body white wine, rich in alcohol, but with a strong flavor and round in the mouth. It

typically tastes of apricot, pear and almonds.

Pierre Gaillard Condrieu 2011

Grape varieties: 100 % Viognier.

Soils: Fine sand made up of south facing loose granite.

The slopes of the parcels of Cte Bellay and of Boissey are covered by

a fine soil of decomposing granite. Facing directly south, they provide

an environment where Viognier offers its best aromatic potential.

This wine is made from handpicked, well-ripened grapes with the

alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in barrels at a controlledtemperature. The wines mature for 7 to 8 months in fine oak from Allier

and Nevers with only 10 % new oak.

The wines are matured and stirred on lees every week during the ageing.

As a result the Viognier fully develops its complex tropical fruits andfloral aromas: lychee, white peach and violets.

Pierre Gaillard Condrieu lOctroi 2011

Grape variety: 100 % Viognier

Soils: Fine sand made up of south facing loose granite

This wine comes from a very steep vineyard that requires a winch to

assist working and with vineyard management that encourages the roots

to go very deep into the soils to find moisture and nutrients. As a result,

the roots make their way down to the heart of the terroir and benefit

from its mineral characteristics.

Made in the same way as the ordinary Condrieu, the l Octroi

distinguishes itself with extra maturity, freshness and minerality.

It is this particular mineral characteristic of the terroir that comes to the

fore, bringing out a sensation of freshness. Combining this mineral freshness with the extra depth of

flavour makes the l Octroi extra heady and expressive.

The Condrieu l Octroi , is a wine that is delicious in youth but with age develops even more power and

complexity and expressive minerality. Drink now or cellar for 10 years.


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Saint-JosephSimilar to the rest of the Northern Rhne, Syrah is the only red grape allowed in St-Joseph. However,

regulations allow for the addition of up to 10% Marsanne and/or Roussanne, both white varietals as part

of this red blend. Marsanne and Roussanne are also used individually or as a blend for the white wines.

St-Joseph lies just south ofCte Rtie and is defined by similar granite soils to its loftier neighbour and alsogranites from the Centrale Massif to the west. These soils distinguish the wines by making them edgier and more

taught than the easy Crozes-Hermitage appellation and yet with all the character and credential that make Northern

Rhne syrah so famous.

Many of the red wines are meant to be consumed while waiting for Hermitage and Cte Rtie to mature.

With some of the vines in this region aged upwards of 100 years old the best wines are lively, structured

and exuberant. Generally the wines are defined by the delightful red fruit that makes them very drinkable

while young while keeping a poise and breeding of the more majestic Cte Rtie

About 9 percent of the wine made in St Joseph is white, with the predominant variety Marsanne and a lesser

amount of Roussanne grown. Since the 1980 s the best producers have sorted out the vineyard plots that work best

for each variety and Pierre Gaillard s whites are subsequently dominated by Roussanne. Good white St-Joseph

exhibits exotic aromas and lovely levels of peach, apricot and greengage fruit. The palate is typically rich and well-

weighted

St-Joseph, along with the rest of Northern Rhne has a continental climate that differs from its southern

neighbour, which has a more Mediterranean climate. The appellation is the second largest appellation in

the Northern Rhne covering 920 hectares. The classic part of the appellation begins in the south around

the villages Mauves and Tournon. This part of St.-Joseph lies fairly high and these fields are regarded asthe best of the appellation. 50 km to the north, when the appellation approaches Cte Rtie, the soil is

richer and the wines differ from the classic southern wines. It is in this northern section that Pierre

Gaillard has his vineyards which are at the core of his identity; it is where he first established hisvineyards and where he lives.

Pierre Gaillard Saint Joseph blanc 2011

Grape varieties: 100 % Roussanne.

Soils: Fine sand composed of weathered and eroded granite particles.

Saint-Joseph white wines are traditionally made from a blend of

Roussanne and Marsanne. Pierre Gaillard, however, only usesRoussanne, because he believes this variety produces wines with

interesting complexity and rich characteristics. This wine washarvested from fully-ripe grapes planted in the granite-laden soils

situated north of the appellation and expresses complexity and the

fresh minerality of these soils.

Handpicked and fully sorted for healthy and well-ripened grapes thewine was fermented and matured for 7-8 months in Allier and Nevers

oak barrels; with 5 % in new barrels.

A low yield reinforces the richness and the aromatic complexity of the Roussanne grape variety and the

winemaking helps emphasise and reinforce the fresh mineral structure allowing the wines to age superbly.

Delicious when young with subtle apricot flavours, this wine should develop over the next 8 to 10 years

gaining greater richness, haunting spices and honeysuckle.


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Pierre Gaillard Saint Joseph rouge 2010

Grape variety: 100 % Syrah.

Soils: Decomposing granite.

From the north of the appellation, this Saint-Joseph is a blend of wines

from vines situated on slopes facing east and southeast. Most of the

grapes come from the estate with the remainder bought from othergrowers; however the wine is made and matured at the property.

All the grapes are hand-picked harvested and strictly sorted. After a

cold maceration the wine is fermented and then spends 18 months in

oak barrels with 15 to 20% new.

This is a well-structured, but open and approachable wine showing all

the characteristic of St-Joseph and Syrah. A great wine to drink in

youth and over the following 3-5 years.

Pierre Gaillard Saint Joseph rougeClos de Cuminaille

2010

Grape varieties: 100 % Syrah.Soils: Decomposing granite facing east.

The first hillside of Clos de Cuminaille was cleared and planted in

1981. With its fine granite sandy slopes offering good drainage, this

estate currently offers an exceptional environment allowing the Syrah

grape variety to fully express itself. As a result Pierre Gaillard decided

to pay tribute to this terroir by creating a single wine.

After hand harvesting, the grapes are undergo a cold maceration before

the alcoholic fermentation. During the fermentation afforests are made

to ensure good extraction of tannins and aromatic substances. Themalolactic fermentation is carried out in oak barrels.

The wine is bottled after 18 months in fine oak from Allier and Nevers; with 40 % new oak.

The combination of soils, aspect and careful winemaking reliably ensure this wine is both rich and

concentrated with velvety tannins and fresh minerality. Typically meaty and full-bodied, this is a full-

bodied and serious wine with class.

Pierre Gaillard Saint Joseph rouge Les Pierres 2010

Grape varieties: 100 % Syrah.

Soils: Decomposing granite.

Les Pierres is the fruit of a double selection. Like all of Pierre Gaillard s

wines the terroir s are separated. The best grapes from the harvests at

Clos de Cuminaille and also at Cte Belley and Limony are identified

and matured in new barrels. As a result, this wine is derived from well-

exposed hillsides, composed of granite with fine soil offering good

drainage and conditions and fully-expressive Syrah.

Les Pierres is matured for 18 months in 100% new oak barrels fromAllier and Nevers with racking every three months. In March, when the

wine is blended, only 20 to 25% of the barrels expressing the mostaromatic complexity will become Les Pierres.

This special selection at every stage typically allows the Les Pierres to age superbly and after 10 years of

age reach an apogee that represents the very best the St-Joseph appellation offer. Profound in the very

best vintages


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CornasBack in 1763 the village priest in Cornas recorded: The mountain of this village is most entirely planted

with vines which produce a very good black wine. This wine is much sought out by merchants and is veryheady. Indeed there is evidence that wine from Cornas was being enjoyed by Charlemagne in 840AD.

Situated away from the cooling breezes of the Rhne valley the climate of the area allows good ripening,

but the underlying soils that are closer related to the Centrale Massif than the Rhne, being granite, giving

a harder edge and character to the wines. The wines of Cornas were forgotten over the years, maybe due

to being just off the main trade route of the Rhne valley and particularly after the two wars in the 20th

century. The appellation itself was only created in 1936 but was the last frontier of the Northern Rhneuntil the late 1980 s.

Only one grape variety is allowed: Syrah planted in restricted areas and with yields strictly limited. The

situation, soils and individual micro-climate make the wines of Cornas more precocious.

Pierre Gaillard Cornas 2010

Grape variety: Syrah.Soils: Gneiss and evolving granite with touches of clay.

This plot of over 70 year old vines was bought by Pierre Gaillard in2006, is situated on a gneiss-granite slope, offering good drainage and

warm temperatures. Since then the vineyards have been nurtured and

with the 2010 vintage are showing the excellence of situation and vineage.

The wine is hand harvested with fastidious sorting out of the healthy

and well-ripened grapes. It matures for 18 months in 50% new oakbarrels from Allier and Nevers. During this maturation the wine

integrates gradually with the oak and builds structure, roundness and

refinement.

This wine is now showing the promise of the vineyards situation and is very expressive, serious, meaty

and intense. The tannins are fine and ripe but full and structured, expressing the difference in soils to the

other Rhne appellations. Wines like this will certainly re-establish Cornas as a serious appellation to

watch.


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Crozes HermitageCrozes Hermitageis the largest of all the northern appellations of Ctes du Rhne. The vineyards lie

around the hill of Hermitage, where the soil is richer and easier to work with. Crozes Hermitage wines are

less robust then Hermitage and regarded as being substantially lesser in quality than neighbouring

appellations; best for cheaper every-day wines.

This mould has been broken by dedicated winemakers lead by Yann Chave and Alain Graillot, and

followed by Pierre Gaillard and a number of other top producers. They have selected great vineyard sitesfrom the extensive area of Crozes-Hermitage and shown that with good vineyard management that great

wines of immense personality are possible. One characteristic of the appellation is a great mixture of soils

and slopes which is why the dedicated winemakers have been able to identify better sites to grow wine.

Compared to the price of Hermitage, Crozes Hermitage is very affordable and offers great value formoney. The lighter structure of the wine means that the wines are very approachable when young.

Pierre Gaillard / Jeanne Gaillard Crozes-Hermitage 2010

Grape variety: 100 % Syrah.Soils: Smooth pebbles.

This 5-hectare vineyard representing a single piece of land

was planted at the beginning of the 1980s. The soil, It is

made up of gravel offering good drainage, was deposited

by the rivers where the Isre and the Rhne rivers

converge. The two rivers create a generous micro-climate

that balances warmth and moderates temperatures

throughout the year resulting in a very open and approachable expression of the Syrah grape variety.

The wine spends one year in older oak barrels. The maturation in oak provides structure and finesse,

while conserving fruity flavors.

A wine to drink and enjoy over the next three years.


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PRESS REVIEWS

Pierre Gaillard Cte Rtie 201030

thDecember 2011, by Jancis Robinson: 17 Drink 2014-2022, Great lift and elegance.

Mouthfilling. Excellent energy. Though still a little brutal at the moment. Savoury, salty finish.

Pierre Gaillard Cte Rtie Rose Pourpre 201030

thof December 2011, by Jancis Robinson: 17.5 Drink 2016-2026, Dark purplish crimson.

Wonderfully muscular intensity. Lots of ripe fruit but no excess sweetness. Very juicy. Shouldmake exciting old bones. Very vibrant right to the end. Good balance.

Decanter February 2012 by Steven Spurrier Top 10 pick of the 2010 northern Rhne

Reds . Great density and lifted richness, 2015-2025Decanter April 2012 by J Livingston-Learmonth Top Northern Rhne 2010

A beauty, with lovely, sensitively scented fruit. 19 / 5 stars, drink 2013-2025

Pierre Gaillard Saint Joseph rouge 201030

thDecember 2011, by Jancis Robinson: 16.5 Drink 2012-2016, Much more

expressive and comfortable than this producer s Crozes. Great nose-tickling pepper. Then

admirable polish and verve. I might even take it for a lesser Cote Rotie! GV

Pierre Gaillard Saint Joseph rouge Clos de Cuminaille 201030

thDecember 2011, by Jancis Robinson: 16 Drink 2014-2018, Dark, glowing crimson.

Intense, meaty, more obvious oak than on the regular St-Joseph. Oak still showing. I d

certainly rather drink the regular one in the short term.Decanter February 2012 by Steven Spurrier Top 10 pick of the 2010 northern Rhne

Reds . Ripe and smooth, 2013-2018

Pierre Gaillard Saint Joseph rouge Les Pierres 201030

thDecember by Jancis Robinson: 17 Drink 2012-2018, Perfumed, mineral, racy and

very confident rendition of this appellation. Lots of sweet fruit. Great balance, even if a

little plumper than usual.

Pierre Gaillard Cornas 201030th December 2011 by Jancis Robinson: 17 Drink 2013-2020, A two or three-year-old

acquisition. Very meaty, intense nose. Dry finish. Very expressive of the appellation.

Seriously tannic but good tannins. Very appetizing

Decanter February 2012 by Steven Spurrier Top 10 pick of the 2010 northern RhneReds . Good, robustly grippy, 2014-2022

Jeanne Gaillard Crozes-Hermitage 201030

thDecember 2011 by JancisRobinson: 15.5 Drink 2013-2016, Bright crimson.

Firm, intense and peppery on the nose. A little skinny on the palate. Tastes asthough it is young vines? Very sinewy. Fairly light for this appellation.

Decanter April 2012 by J Livingston-Learmonth Top Northern Rhne 2010Real charm & finesse; well orchestrated. Peppery fruit, precise minerality.17.5 / 4 stars, drink 2012-2018

Pierre Gaillard

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