2017 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes

80% Grenache (60 to over 100 years old), 10% Syrah (over 40 years old), 10% Mourvèdre (60 to over 100 years old). One-third destemmed. Fruit from: La Boussière, Les Garrigues, Les Dentelles and Saint Gayan. 10 months in one- and two-year-old barrels plus another 12 months in foudres (Tronçais and Allier). Mid crimson. Rich, floral nose with quite a cocktail of different elements. Very open and juicy on the palate with none of the dry tannins of some of its stablemates. The rosy side of Grenache much in evidence here. Very pretty indeed… Not that you’d want to sip this as an aperitif but it is delightfully accessible. (JR)

The deep ruby-colored 2017 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes is more austere and mineral-driven than the Vacqueyras, with kirsch, blackberries, dried garrigue, and ample minerality. This medium to full-bodied, structured yet balanced barrel sample should be outstanding, but give it 2-3 years of bottle age.