The 2003 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes has a dense ruby/purple color and a beautifully sweet nose of melted licorice, asphalt, black currants, and cherries. The wine has a big, glycerin-imbued, full-throttle palate as well as a persistent finish. This is a big, structured wine with surprisingly high levels of tannin. Give it 2-3 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 12-15 years. Importers: Martin Scott Wines, Little Neck, NY; tel. (516) 327-0808 and Stacole Fine Wines, Boca Raton, FL; tel. (561) 998-0029

Chewy tannins and a firm, cocoa powder streak frame the plum and currant fruit in this muscular red, which also shows flashy mocha and spice notes. The fruit is quite fresh for a 2003, but the toasty style may be a bit heavy for some. Drink now through 2009. 75 cases made.??–JM??Region: France / Southern Rh?ne / Gigondas Select to Add