2010 Gigondas les Hauts de Montmirail

The 2010 Gigondas Les Hauts de Montmirail is composed of 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 20% Mourvedre, the Syrah and Mourvedre aged in small oak and the Grenache in tank. The soils here include more clay than those of the Traditional cuvee. A big, inky/black color is followed by rich notes of blueberry liqueur, acacia flowers, graphite, licorice and scorched earth. With sweet tannin, a dense, full-bodied style, and better integrated oak than Brusset achieved 15-20 years ago, this brilliant, young, vibrant, full-throttle Gigondas can be drunk over the next 12-15 years. Domaine Brusset is one of the pioneers of the more modern style of barrique-aged Gigondas, although in fact, their traditional cuvee is aged in 70% tank and 30% small oak. The luxury offering, Les Hauts de Montmirail, is aged in equal parts small oak and tank. These 2010s are both sensational efforts as Brusset always seems to get everything possible from his vineyards. There are 3,000 cases of the Tradition and 1,300 of Les Hauts de Montmirail. Importer: Simon N Cellars, Charlottesville, VA; tel. (434) 977-4476