Les Pallieres was a bright spot in the Gigondas appellation. I can’t help but express disappointment in their decision to split the produce into two separate cuvée after 2006. To this day I still feel the combined fruit made a more complete and balanced drink. This 2004 was my last of a case and showing perfectly. But what do I know? I’m just a simple consumer, a novice, an insignificant voice in a sea of opinions and blog posts. Damn, I sure wish they’d go back to the blend. Oh, and the ballet was stunning, just beautiful. What a true professional can accomplish astounds me.
So I gather you liked the 2004, but how is it developing? When I last opened one four years ago, it was very young and unevolved. I have a couple more so I’d love to have a more detailed progress report.
Most of my experience with Les Pallieres goes back to the 80s, in the pre-Kermit days, when they released their wines long after the vintage. They were funky but soft and pretty ready to drink. This was nowhere near ready on release, nor a few years later.
John, to me the wine is ready, and has been for the past couple of years but nowhere near falling off a cliff. The secondary flavors are there, open and inviting, no harsh tannin whatsoever. I wouldn’t say there’s any rush to drink, but it’s surely ready. I don’t see any amazing transformation with more years based on my limited experience with older bottles. But again, I’m a novice 
I was reorganizing the cellar a week ago and was surprised at how many bottles of another former KLWM Gigondas I still have (Cayron) and Sang des Cailloux, thinking they’re so big and rustic that I won’t drink them much anymore. Had to sample a few…the 2005 Cayron was pretty tannic and closed, and 2007 was the southern Rhone equivalent of Caymus 40th anniversary cab 
. 2007 Sang des Cailloux Floureto on deck for guests who like big wines. I expect I would now enjoy the Pallieres much more.
I don’t know what happened to Cayron in the mid 00s. It used to be one of my favorite Gigondases. And it would age forever. It didn’t become more modern, but I haven’t cared for it in the last few vintages. Les Pallieres went over my price threshold when they split into two cuvees, so I don’t know about them anymore. The 07 Sang des Cailloux is coming along and I’m sure your guests will like it, but I’m holding on to mine for a few more years.
The split and price increase pretty much killed the wine for me and in the local market. Great move that was.
For me, as well. The wine(s) are not as good as they once were and are too expensive. I believe that the last I tasted was an 07, which was disjointed and hot.
Child(ren) took over at Cayron and changed the vinification; Kermit dropped them. The wine is only okay now, whereas it used to be really good. In my opinion, Pallieres just isn’t very good now, either. Sang des Cailloux remains a wine of character and soul.
Disclaimer: I sell Sang des Cailloux (and used to sell Cayron and Pallieres).
I agree, completely. I bought 3 bottles each of the '07’s. Last time I bought the Pallieres. Even the '03 drank much better than these hot and disjointed bottles. Nonetheless, I’ll see how my remaining 4 bottles develop but I’m no longer a buyer.
I agree that Cayron went thru a tough time in the 2000s when the kids took over after their father passed away and KL dropped Cayron. However, since 2010 the new generation has gotten their act together and the estate is back to producing good wines. IMHO this estate is worth giving another shot. These are wines of real character which are vinified in the old fashion manner.
That’s interesting. And I didn’t know about the generational handoff. I loved the 01 and the 04. I remember the 05 was pretty brutally tannic young. I’m not a fan of 07 in the Southern Rhone, so I don’t think I even sampled that. It’s a shame if it’s not what it used to be.
Jay, it’s good to know that matters are improving, but I sold the 09 and 10 and, in my opinion, those wines are far off the mark of the likes of the 89 and 90. I had customers who really liked the 09 and 10, but they had no experience with the domaine’s wines from 20 years ago.
I knew about the generational changeover of course. As to the wine–different strokes. I taste them every year at the Gigondas Caveau, hoping for a return. So far, not for me.