Jean LeonVinya Gigi 2018

Product code: 8932
£21.15 inc VAT
Limited Stock: (2 btls)
Country
Country: Spain
Region
Region: Catalunya
Sub-Region
Sub-Region: Penedes
Type
Winery
Winery: Jean Leon
Alcohol
Alcohol: 13.5%
Volume
Volume: 750 ml
Grape
Grape: Chardonnay
Grape: 100% Chardonnay
only {{ limitedStock }} available Sold in multiples of {{ caseSize }} {{ inCartQuantity(productId) }} in cart
Sold in multiples of {{ caseSize }}

All pictures shown are for illustration purpose only. Actual label may vary due to changes between vintages.

Country
Country: Spain
Region
Region: Catalunya
Sub-Region
Sub-Region: Penedes
Type
Winery
Winery: Jean Leon
Alcohol
Alcohol: 13.5%
Volume
Volume: 750 ml
Grape
Grape: Chardonnay
Grape: 100% Chardonnay

Product Notes

Jean Leon Vinya Gigi was one of the most successful Catalan wine producers of his time. Born in Santander, Spain, in 1928, he immigrated to the USA in 1947 with just $100 in his pocket. He eventually found his way to Hollywood, where he worked as a waiter at the legendary Chasen's restaurant, frequented by many movie stars. Later, he started a successful catering business and became friends with Frank Sinatra, who would later serve as a mentor and business partner.

In the early 1960s, Leon returned to Spain to pursue his passion for wine, purchasing a vineyard in the hills of Penedès. There, he created the Jean Leon brand, which quickly became a benchmark for quality Spanish wines. Leon's signature red wine, Vinya Gigi, named in honor of his mother, is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot, and is considered one of the finest red wines of Spain. Leon's life story is a testament to determination and perseverance, and his wines continue to be enjoyed by wine lovers all over the world.

Tasting Notes

Bright, clean straw yellow in colour. A powerfully aromatic nose, combining primary aromas of pineapple and peach with touches of spiced and lactic notes and final hints of Mediterranean flowers. A persistent palate thanks to its good acidic balance, with a long, elegant mid-palate and a balanced, lush finish.

About the Winery

Jean Leon

The Jean Leon brand of wines, currently managed by the Torres family, was handed to them by the famous restaurant owner and winemaker Jean Leon. With a life full of exciting events, he traveled across three countries and went on to meet and become friends with the big names in the US political and cultural scene. With these alliances, he ventured into the restaurant scene with the La Scala in Hollywood, which became the meeting place for celebrities. 

Emboldened by this success, Leon pursued his dream of winemaking when he started the Vinya La Scala in 1963. This was followed up with Vinya Gigi in 1967, Vinya Le Havre in 1968 and the Vinya Palau. The Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva was born in 1969 and the Vinya Gigi Chandornnay in 1971. The Cabernet made it to the inauguration dinner of President Reagan in 1981. It was voted among the eight best wines in the world by “Wine” magazine in 1983.

The Torres family, who have been managing the wine business since 1994, has stayed true to the principles of Jean Leon, bringing out the elegance and innovation of Jean Leon in every bottle of wine and continuing to make history. 

Some of the most famous wines from Jean Leon include:

Vinya La Scala Cabernet Sauvignon: This wine is a reminder of the legacy of Jean Leon, produced only from the Vinya La Scala vineyard in Spain. The wine is characterised by cherry red colour with a medium-high layer, with the smell of mature fruits and roasted spices.

Vinya Le Havre Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve: This is another wine that is close to the history of Jean Leon. It is dedicated to the silent sailor who helped him and taught him English while traveling to the USA. Made from cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc, the wine is picota cherry red in colour and smells of ripe red fruit and toasted spicy peppers.

Vinya Palau Merlot:  The wine is produced from the Vinya Palau vineyard, started in 1991. Bringing freshness and elegance to the palette, the wine has an intense red colour with scents of plum, ripe black fruit and balsamic licorice.

https://www.jeanleon.com

Find out more

You may also like