Domaine Santa Duc Gigondas Les Hautes Garriques 2018 0

50% Grenache, 50% Mourv?dre

This Gigondas is made from old 60+ year old vines in a very high altitude, single vineyard site. From stony, poor red clay soils from 3 hectares on Hautes Garrigues, yields of 15 hl/ha, from late 2010s 90% destemmed, 5 week vinification at low temperature ?to privilege the quality of the fruit and the freshness?, pumping overs, aged 90% 4-10 year oak 36 hl large barrels, 10% 800-litre clay jars (until 2010 was 228-litre oak casks, less oak now sought for extra freshness) 20-24 months, unfiltered, organic crop.

 Jeb Dunnuck -96 points
“The flagship is 2018 Gigondas Les Hautes Garrigues and is another red from this estate that does everything right. Deep ruby/purple-colored with a brilliant bouquet of ripe wild strawberries, blueberries, ground pepper, garrigue, and new saddle leather, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, flawless balance, and building yet seamless tannins. It?s certainly in the new style of this estate and is beautifully done. Enjoy bottles anytime over the coming two decades.”

Robert Parker -96 points
“A 50-50 blend of Grenache and Mourv?dre this vintage, the 2018 Gigondas Les Hautes Garrigues is more open and approachable than the somewhat dense and closed 2017. Floral hints of garrigue appear on the nose, and the fruit is less concentrated and suppler, making it easier to drink now. Mixed berries mark the full-bodied palate, framed by silky tannins and bright acids, leading into a long, mouthwatering finish.”

Wine Enthusiast Magazine -95 points
“Despite its richness and power, this blend of equal parts Grenache and Mourv?dre offers breathtaking airiness and perfume. Sourced from 75-year-old vines planted on sandy soils of the Les Hautes Garrigues lieu dit, it’s a bold, muscular red concentrated with flavors of dried plums and blueberries. Anchored by a firm, earthen undertow and fine-grained, chalky tannins, it should improve through 2030 and hold longer still. Organic and biodynamic.”