Domaine Santa Duc, Gigondas Aux Lieux-Dits 2018

94 points Wine Enthusiast
"In contrast to Santa Duc's pointed single-vineyard bottlings, this Grenache-dominant blend (augmented by Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault) sourced from eight distinct sites throughout Gigondas gives a holistic look at Gigondas. Black-cherry and mulberry flavors are ripe but briskly balanced by a dazzling mineral freshness and salty, chalky finish. Fruity yet shaded by subtle kisses of charcuterie and dried earth, it's a complex, hedonistic wine that's at peak now through 2030. Made from organic and biodynamic grapes."

93 Points Wine Spectator
"Ripe but understated style, with a mix of Damson plum, black cherry and blackberry fruit flavors mixed with wood spice and black tea notes. Stylish, pure finish. Drink now through 2033. 2,560 cases made, 500 cases imported."

Jancis Robinson
"A blend of fruit from seven lieux-dits with different soil types, and of Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault. Certified organic and biodynamic.
Transparent garnet. Beautifully integrated with hints of tamarind and lots of sweet, light fruit and hardly any tannin. Just the job for drinking over the 2021 festive season. The alcohol is not at all obvious; this is almost playful. 17/20 points."

Vinous Reverie Notes
"The Domaine Santa Duc has emerged in just over a decade as the number one estate for quality in Gigondas. […] Is this the finest estate in Gigondas? ~ Robert M. Parker, Jr. - The World's Greatest Wine Estates
"Yves Gras is one of the appellation's standard bearers [...]. He's toned down the use of oak in recent years." ~ Joe Czerwinski, Managing Editor - Wine Enthusiast
"…a great name in Gigondas." ~ Jancis Robinson
Winery: This cuvee reflects all our locations in Gigondas. It gets its character through the connection between eight different vineyards and four typical grape varieties of the Rhône Valley. Alluvial soils, red and blue clay, as well as marl lime, add to the taste and fragrance of this elegant and expressive wine as do the grape varieties of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Each terroir contributes to the overall picture with its character. Typically characterized by fresh fruit and noble, vegetal aromas in its youth, it usually develops a bouquet of exotic spices after a few years of bottle storage. Origin: The vineyards are situated in 8 different localities of Gigondas (called “lieux-dits” in French). Thus the cuvee is called “from different localities” (“Aux Lieux-dits”). Grape varieties: Grenache 75 %, Syrah 10 %, Mourvèdre 13 %, Cinsault 2 %. (40 years old vines). Vinification: Hand picked and sorted, partly destemmed, natural yeasts, long maceration. Ageing: 18 months in casks (foudres) and terracotta jars. Soils: Aluvial, quaternary, stony red clay soils in the localities called : Les Hautes Garrigues, Les Carbonnières, Les Rocassières, Santa Duc, Les Pailleroudas, Les Routes. Blue clay in the locality called : Goujard et Plane. Calcareous marly soils from the Cretaceous in the locality called : Clos Derrière Vieille.