75% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre for the 2023 vintage. It is certified organic.

Food pairings: The Lançon family suggests leg of lamb with thyme flowers, ratatouille, Provençal-style tomatoes, or lamb tagine with prunes. Grilled lamb or beef and slow-cooked stews are also lovely matches. Serve at 61-64°F, and give it an hour or two in a decanter while it's young.

In the cellar The grapes are vinified with whole bunches in concrete tanks, with a gentle two-week maceration. The wine then ages about 15 months, 70% in concrete tanks and 30% in oak barrels.

The vineyards The fruit comes from the southern slopes of the Dentelles de Montmirail, the jagged limestone ridge above the village of Gigondas. The soils are red clay with shards of limestone, which naturally give small yields.

The family Domaine de la Solitude belongs to one of the oldest families in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with roots going back to the 15th century. Since 2008 the eighth generation, led by Florent Lançon, has run the organically farmed estate. In 2012 the family founded Maison Famille Lançon to bring out wines from other Rhône appellations, such as this Gigondas.

In the pictures The first picture is the Bellecoste Gigondas bottle. The second shows the village of Gigondas nestled at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail (photo: Aocgigondas, CC0). The third shows the vineyards of Gigondas (photo: Véronique Pagnier, public domain).