Just last week, when I spontaneously passed by Domaine Santa Duc in Gigondas, Yves Gras proposed to taste some bottles from the new 2010 vintage, just bottled last week. Generally it is told that it’s difficult to taste wines shortly after bottling, but as I always mistrust those “tales” I tasted anyhow. For, even if most of the wines are a little “rebellious” after having changed their recipient (for the wine there definitely is less space in a bottle than in a tank!), you still may taste if the wines are ”set-up” well or not.

And indeed I can tell you that they are wholly set-up! I have been impressed by the 2010 vintage from the very beginning, as it easily combines power and freshness, tannins and softness.

Les 4 Terres: Cheerful and fresh like a Cotes du Rhône should be.
Gigondas Tradition showes density and balance.
Gigondas Les Hautes Garrigues: Full of black fruit, candied lemon peels and fine tannins.
Gigondas Grand Grenache 66: A bouquet of raisin, chocolate, prunes and power.

Mostly enticing to me was the drinkability of all the wines and they made me salivate (by the way a sign for very good acidity).

Some words apart on the latest release from Domaine Santa Duc, the Chateauneuf du Pape Habemus Papam. Surely different from the Gigondas wines, this wine truly expresses Chateauneuf-du-Pape-terroir and honours the appellation: Mellowness and volume from a real Grenache, together with graceful tannins of good length.