A sturdy version, with nice smoky meatiness underscoring an expressive fruit profile of blackberry sauce, damson plum and violet. Still a bit tightly wound and taut, this is laced with grippy, black tea-like tannins. Gains depth from singed alder, tar and oak spice notes. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Best from 2025 through 2030. 350 cases made, 80 cases imported.??–KB??Region: France / Southern Rh?ne / Gigondas Select to Add

From Brusset's higher-altitude plantings, the 2019 Gigondas Les Hauts de Montmirail shows what appears to be a bit of oak on the nose, nicely fitting into place among purple raspberries, garrigue and even a bit of cassis. Full-bodied and impressively concentrated, it boasts a plush, velvety feel on the palate, sumptuous tannins and a lingering, richly textured finish. It's a super Gigondas to drink over the next decade or so.

A blend of 50% Grenache and 25% each Mourvèdre and Syrah, with a portion of the Mourvèdre and Syrah aged in barrel, the 2018 Gigondas les Hauts de Montmirail features hints of dark fruit, leather, cedar and baking spices on the nose. It's full-bodied, rich, creamy and concentrated, finishing lush and long, with hints of cocoa and garrigue on the finish.

Although the 2017 Gigondas les Hauts de Montmirail displays super ripe notes of black cherries and chocolate, it also exhibits great freshness. Yes, it's full-bodied, intense and slightly cedary from oak, but there's also ample length and elegance on the finish. It's a terrific effort.

Very solid, with a focused beam of dark plum, blackberry and boysenberry pate de fruit flavors supported by grippy bramble and tar notes and backed by a lingering mineral edge. A roasted apple wood accent frames all the elements. Best from 2020 through 2035. 600 cases made, 60 cases imported.??–JM??Region: France / Southern Rh?ne / Gigondas Select to Add