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    Pontificis GSM - A GSM Blend for the Masses

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: July 8, 2022 Last Updated: July 8, 2022

    Another consistently good Trader Joe's pick, the Pontificis GSM.

    Pontificis GSM - A GSM Blend for the Masses

    40% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 25% Mourvedre from Languedoc-Roussillon, France. It has 7 g/L of residual sugar.

    The Pontificis GSM is available exclusively at Trader Joe's for $6.99. It is imported by Latitude Wines.

    From the bottle:

    Produced in the Languedoc-Roussillon, between sea and mountain, from the three local grape varieties Grenache (40%), Syrah (35%) and Mourvedre (25%), Pontificis is deep purple in colour, with aromas of spice, black fruits and herbs and a palate of supple, yet rich spicy fruit. It is a beautiful representation of the best of the South of France.

    Enjoy at 64F with meats in sauce, mediterranean dishes, marinated game and cheeses.

    Bottled for Badet Clement
    13.5% Alcohol

    We're big fans of both wines from the Languedoc and GSM blends so we were quite happy a few years ago to find this wine at such a low price at Trader Joe's. We first recommended the 2011 vintage and while the quality can vary vintage to vintage, it's always been rated as at least a Recommended Buy since then. Read on to find out how this latest vintage measures up.

    The 2019 Badet Clement Pontificis GSM Blend begins with pleasant aromas of dark red fruit, a few oaky notes, menthol and some light herbal notes.

    Tasting the wine reveals juicy, sweet, berry fruit wrapped up in a smooth texture. It turns a bit oaky on mid-palate with some cola notes leading into the finish.

    It ends dry, a bit grippy and much longer than it should for just $7 with cola and sweet berry fruit notes lasting for quite awhile. We found it to be even a bit better on day 2.

    Always a solid recommendation and at only $6.99 you might as well keep a few bottles on hand! And for those curious, while it's similar in may respects to the Tenebres GSM (which is also a Trader Joe's exclusive), we found the Pontificis to be both a bit drier in style and a step up in quality overall which is well worth it in our opinion for just $1 more.

    2019 Pontificis GSM

    Taste: 7 (87-88 points)      Cost: 9
    OVERALL RATING: 7.5

    RECOMMENDED BUY

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    Filed Under: France, GSM, Languedoc, Thanksgiving, Trader Joe's

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    About Jon Thorsen

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