Domaine Pierre Gonon
Overview
Domaine Pierre Gonon is the benchmark producer of Saint-Joseph, based in the village of Mauves — the heart of the original Saint-Joseph appellation and one of its finest terroirs. The Gonon family made a historic acquisition in 2004–2005 when they purchased the vineyards of the legendary Raymond Trollat, the retiring saint of Saint-Joseph who had farmed his old vines since the 1940s. The Gonon family now farms some of the oldest Syrah vines in the entire appellation. Gilman places Gonon at the top of the appellation hierarchy.
Appellations
Key Wines
- Saint-Joseph Rouge — estate bottling from old vines in Mauves and surroundings
- Saint-Joseph Rouge Vieilles Vignes — made in early vintages following the Trollat acquisition; the former Trollat parcels (very old vines)
Style Notes
Gonon’s Saint-Joseph is the benchmark for the appellation: granite minerality, pure dark fruit, superb soil transparency, and the ability to age 20–30+ years — unusual for Saint-Joseph. The wines are made with minimal intervention, reflecting the extraordinary old-vine terroir from the steep granite hillsides of Mauves. The Trollat vineyard acquisition has added another dimension of old-vine complexity. Gilman’s 2006 Gonon tasting note underscores the plateau-of-maturity quality: “velvety, with a very elegant profile.”
Tasting Notes (from VFTC #119)
- 2006 Saint-Joseph (regular bottling): Rated 95. “At its apogee of peak maturity and is absolutely singing today.” Deep, complex, velvety. “Still has decades of life ahead.” Drinking window: 2025–2055+.
My Tastings
(none yet)
Sources
- 119 — Annual Rhône Report (John Gilman, October 2025)