Dark, shimmering ruby. Cherry-cola, black raspberry and pungent flowers on the spice-inflected nose. Coats the palate with appealing sweet red and dark berry, floral pastille and spicecake flavors that open up slowly through the mid-palate. Smooth, even tannins frame an impressively long, spicy finish that echoes the floral note.
This has superb fruit-freshness. Aromas of wild cherries, raspberries and poached strawberries, set amid a wealth of freshly picked, wild herbs. Super, vibrant palate with succulent and slickly layered tannins. Long, plush, even and supple. Drink or hold.
Leading off the wines tasted from bottle, the classic 2016 Gigondas Aux Lieux Dits offers textbook Gigondas style in its darker fruits, peppery herbs, lavender, and earthy aromas and flavors. With medium to full-bodied richness, beautiful purity, and impeccable balance, it’s a no-brainer purchase that’s going to have 10-15 years of longevity.
The 2016 Gigondas Aux Lieux Dits had been blended at the time of my visit, but not yet bottled. It looks reassuringly close to how I remember it from last year, with pronounced garrigue notes joined by hints of licorice and blackberries. It's full-bodied, creamy textured and supple, with a long, velvety finish.
Technical Details
BlendGrenache, Mourvedre, Syrah and Cinsault
WinemakerBenjamin Gras
CountryFrance
RegionRhone Valley
AppellationGigondas
Alcohol14.5%
Shop All Wines Domaine Santa Duc Gigondas Aux Lieux-Dits 2016
Domaine Santa Duc Gigondas Aux Lieux-Dits 2016
Rhone Blends | France
VN93, JS92-93, WA91-93, JD91
$45.00
$29.95 | 750mL
SOLD OUT
33% off retail!
Too late, we are SOLD OUT!
"Smooth"…"beautiful purity, and impeccable balance"… "vibrant"…"succulent"
- all words from the outstanding reviews on this irresistibly delicious Gigondas from Domaine Santa Duc!!
You First Bottlers know how good these wines are already, and we don’t need to tell you about the incredible 2016 vintage in the Rhone (do we?). And for a staggeringly great $29.95 ($179.70 a 6-PACK DELIVERED!), we think this is a no-brainer for near-term drinking. Syrah/Grenache in a silky, juicy, ultra-friendly frame of deep fruit flavors...well, just read the reviews below. We can tell you, it's ALL THAT! While it lasts!
About the Producer
Rising as a pillar of quality out of the soils of Gigondas is Domaine Santa Duc, an estate that's history stretches back to 1874. Through five generations, the caretakers of the domaine have demonstrated a respect for the land, with Santa Duc ascending to prominence as a pioneer of organic viticulture in the region under the care of its indomitable vigneron, Yves Gras. The wines cultivated by Gras typify classic Gigondas - elegant, focused, polished. In his 32 years at the helm, Gras has branched out to nearby Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Rasteau, creating wines of exceptional balance and quality. Gras seamlessly integrates fruit born from two distinct soil types into harmonious cuvees that are representative of the unique terroir of the Southern Rhone Valley. In working only with indigenous yeasts and bottling without filtration, Gras executes with a simplicity that leads to purity of expression in his wines.
