Domaine Xavier Gérard
Domaine Xavier Gérard
AboutDomaine Xavier Gérard
François Gérard began bottling wines from the family’s northern Rhône vineyards in the early 1980s. Xavier Gérard took charge for the 2013 vintage and now makes the wines under his own name. The estate grows Syrah and Viognier across Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu and Saint-Joseph.
The steep slopes require vineyard work by hand. Fermentations begin spontaneously, and ageing takes place mainly in large, older oak casks.
Domaine Xavier Gérard 2022 Côte-Rôtie
French Red
Licorice root and brambly blackberry lead the exact-vintage record, followed by crunchy blueberry and dark plum. Savoury old oak, cracked pepper and a touch of game add further detail. The finish is described as long, savoury and grippy, with those same dark-fruited, spicy and meaty elements continuing through an intensely flavoured aftertaste. Dark fruit, spice and game remain central throughout.
Domaine Xavier Gérard 2018 Côte-Rôtie
French Red
Dark violet in colour, with ripe blackberry, cassis and bitter cherry framed by pungent flowers, black pepper and a savoury trace of smoked meat. The palate is concentrated yet agile, its dark fruit gaining licorice and smoky mineral detail with air. Fine dusty tannins give measured grip, carrying pepper, fruit and earth through a long, composed finish.