Crème de Cassis and spring flowers!

When visiting the region earlier this year, Jeb Dunnuck from the Wine Advocate took a close look at the 2004 vintage in Gigondas. Here are his impressions on our wines:

Santa Duc Tradition 2004
Easily one of the top estates in Gigondas, Yves Gras’s Domaine Santa Duc produced one to the top wines in 2004. His straight 2004 Gigondas is a blend of 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah and the rest Cinsault that was aged in foudre and large oak tanks. Coming from a variety of terroirs, it offers a rich, meaty profile with notions of spiced meats, roasted herbs, sappy spring flower and assorted cherry and dark berry fruit all emerging from the glass. Medium-bodied, nicely textured and balanced, it’s a solid effort that should continue to drink nicely through 2019.

Santa Duc Prestige des Hautes Garrigues 2004
The top wine of the estate and a big step up, the 2004 Gigondas Hautes Garrigues comes from 50- to 80-year-old vines located around the estate and is a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvedre. Aged in a combination of new barrels and tank, it sports a still inky purple color to go with awesome aromas and flavors of creme de cassis, toasted spice, licorice and hints of charred beef. Full-bodied, vibrant and pure, with fantastic depth and concentration that hides ample underlying tannic grip, enjoy this knockout Gigondas through 2024.