A foudre-aged blend of 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah and the rest Mourvedre and Cinsault, the 2012 Gigondas Aux Lieux Dits sports a semi-transparent ruby color to go with a terrific bouquet of sweet raspberries, flowers, incense and pepper. This is followed by a medium-bodied, lightly textured and mid-weight Gigondas that excels on its purity, balance and finesse more so than richness or power. As with a lot of Yves's 2012s, the acidity is surprisingly high, and I wouldn't push the aging curve too much.

Singed bay and savory notes lead the way, adding good energy to the core of black cherry and steeped plum fruit. An iron hint laces up the finish, lending this a racy feel overall. Nicely done. Drink now through 2018. 500 cases imported.??–JM??Region: France / Southern Rh?ne / Gigondas Select to Add