Domaine Santa Duc : Aux Lieux-Dits 2022

Shows elegance and aromatic range, with a lighter profile and salty mineral notes supporting wild forest berries, incense and zesty white pepper streaked with licorice and delicate woodsy notes. Leans to the savory, herbaceous side, with finely sculpted tannins guiding the long, smoke-tinged finish, which is dry, firm and mineral-rich. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Drink now through 2035. 3,368 cases made, 584 cases imported.

A bright, raspberry-fruited example. Fine, relatively light tannins with brisk redcurrant acidity. A juicy, refreshing style with no great concentration. Eight different plots around Gigondas, biodynamically farmed, partly destemmed.

What a beautiful Gigondas. Enticing nose of ripe raspberries with notes of licorice. Wonderful freshness and juiciness on the front palate, then the generous fine tannins come through, building beautifully in the long, complete finish. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink from release.

Vinified with 75% whole clusters, the 2022 Gigondas Aux Lieux-Dits shows well. Black cherry compote, melted licorice, rose water, spice box and fleshy undertones all come alive. Neatly capturing balancing freshness through bright acidity, the full-bodied and structured 2022 ends with persistence on the complex finish.

Crafted from vines planted on sandy and clay soils, the 2022 Gigondas Aux Lieux-Dits reveals a lively, gourmand bouquet of flowers, violet, dark cherries and menthol. Medium to full-bodied, enrobing and energetic, it has a lively, incisive mid-palate with perfectly ripe tannins and good depth at the core. It concludes with a vertical, elegant and ethereal finish enhanced by aromas of dark berries. This stunning Gigondas is a blend of 80% Grenache Noir, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsault and 5% Syrah, made with a portion of whole bunches (80%). Keep it over the next decade.