Domaine Santa Duc Gigondas Les Hautes Garrigues 2020 750ml

FRANCE : RHONE : GIGONDAS

CERTIFIED BIODYNAMIC : Grenache, Mourvèdre

FULL-BODIED, DARK CHERRY, BLACKBERRY, LICORICE, GARRIGUE, OAK

The Hautes Garrigues is a 2.8-hectare lieu-dit on the high plateau of Gigondas, farmed by the Gras family since 1852. Vine age averages 75 years, the soil a porous mix of sandy clay and coarse gravel from a Quaternary colluvial fan at the base of the Dentelles de Montmirail. The parcel name is literal: high scrubland, where the wild aromatic garrigue of Provence shows up directly in the wine.

Domaine Santa Duc spent decades building a reputation for bold, extracted Gigondas under Yves Gras. His son Benjamin, who trained at Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and Vega Sicilia before returning home, arrived with different priorities: 75% whole-cluster fermentation, Stockinger foudres and terracotta amphorae for a neutral 18-month élevage, no fining, no filtration. The wines from these parcels are measurably more precise for it.

Vinous scored the 2020 95-96. Jeb Dunnuck called it "a gorgeous Gigondas any way you look at it." Best from 2028, through 2040 and likely beyond.

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