Domaine Santa Duc, Gigondas Aux Lieux-Dits 2019

94 points Wine Spectator
"This sports a fun tumble of cassis, cherry paste and raspberry coulis notes, while red licorice, roasted applewood and tar accents fill in. Has range and energy from start to finish. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Best from 2023 through 2036."

93 points Decanter
"Grenache to the fore, strawberry and Victoria plum, but all the varieties make themselves known. This is medium-bodied, not excessive, large or heavy with real purity and drinkability. It has a good sense of balance and elegance with fine tannins. The alcohol is warm but not out of balance. Eight different plots around Gigondas, biodynamically farmed, partly destemmed."

Jancis Robinson
"75% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, 5% Cinsault. Organic and biodynamic. 50% whole bunch. Aged in 80% Stockinger foudres, 20% terracotta jars. Tank sample.
Tasted blind. Expressive strawberry fruit and maraschino cherry. The palate is vibrant and mouth-filling, the fine tannins support this and there is a remarkable zip of freshness through the wine. A subtle lick of salinity on the finish. Great elegance here. 17.5+/20 points. (AC)"

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.