A blend of 81% Grenache and 19% Mourvèdre, all matured in barrels (25% new), the 2016 Gigondas la Font de Tonin is a plush, hedonistic expression of Gigondas. Baking spices accent raspberry and cherry fruit in this full-bodied, decadent wine that's probably best enjoyed in its first decade. Supple, plummy and slightly warm, but in a comforting sort of way, it finishes harmoniously and long.

The 2014 Gigondas la Font de Tonin excels in the vintage and offers lots of raspberry, strawberry, garrigue and incense notes in a medium-bodied, beautifully textured style. Made from just about 100% Grenache (there’s a splash of Mourvèdre) aged all in barrel, it will drink nicely through 2024.

A smaller production cuvee and not yet bottled, the 2012 Gigondas La Font de Tonin comes from the older vines on the estate and is 90% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre. Aging in barrels, it has a modern edge to its licorice, chocolate, spice and mulled berry fruit. Medium to full-bodied, ripe and textured, with rock-solid concentration, this beauty should benefit from a year or two in the cellar and drink nicely through 2024.

A sensational effort, the opaque ruby/purple-tinged 2010 Gigondas La Font du Tonin is a deeper, richer, more structured and backward effort revealing full body as well as loads of incense, flower, blueberry, black raspberry and bouquet garni notes. Very perfumed with stunning purity and overall equilibrium, this big, well-balanced, intriguing Gigondas should drink well for 12-15+ years.(Not yet released)This has been one of the top estates in Gigondas since the mid-nineties thanks to the efforts of the Faravel family. I did not see the regular 2009 Gigondas since it is apparently sold out.A Peter Vezan Selection, various American importers including: Michael Skurnick, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300 and Vintner Select, Cincinnati, OH; tel. (513) 229-3630

The 2010 Gigondas La Font du Tonin (400 cases produced) comes from the estate’s oldest vines and is a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvedre. It possesses fuller body along with striking concentration, an enticing texture, and lots of black raspberry and blueberry fruit intermixed with a floral character as well as a crushed stone minerality. This pure, intense, natural tasting Gigondas should evolve effortlessly for 10-12 years. One of the better estates in Gigondas is run by Gilles and Thierry Faravel. Domaine La Bouissiere produces two Gigondas cuvees with the most abundant being the 2,500-case Gigondas tradition. A Peter Vezan Selection, various American importers including: Michael Skurnick, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300 and Vintner Select, Cincinnati, OH; tel. (513) 229-3630