2016 Gigondas Cuvée Le Lieu Dit Domaine des Bosquets

From a cooler terroir of sandy soils just beside the domaine, the 2016 Gigondas Le Lieu Dit is another tour de force from this brilliant estate. It sports a medium ruby color as well as a rocking bouquet of kirsch, blackberry liqueur, rose petals, damp earth, incense, and spice. Ultra-fine, seamless, elegant, and pure, it's nevertheless powerful and rich, with awesome intensity. Readers need to snatch up this blockbuster.

Big, rich and full-bodied, the 2016 Gigondas le Lieu Dit is old-vine Grenache from a sandy part of the property, aged in demi-muids. It's got huge black cherry, berry and plum fruit, yet remains fresh and vibrant, showing a bit of warmth without going over the top. It should drink well for a decade. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 2018 - 2028.

Deep brilliant red. Highly perfumed aromas of ripe red berries, exotic spices, garrigue and candied flowers, joined by a smoky mineral nuance that builds steadily in the glass. Smooth and seamless in texture, offering palate-staining raspberry liqueur, spicecake and lavender pastille flavors in a suave marriage of depth and vivacity. Closes sweet, gently tannic and very long, leaving lingering red berry, allspice and floral pastille notes behind.

Fine-grained but persistent tannins and a deep strikes of minerality abound throughout this ripe but restrained Gigondas. It's concentrated in blackberry and boysenberry flavors, but has an invigorating freshness often attributed to the vineyard's sandy soils and northern exposition. Hints of crushed mineral and anise linger on the finish. Elegant now but likely better from 2021.

Deliciously ripe, featuring a bright and lively display of red currant, raspberry and blackberry coulis flavors that race along, underscored by fine but persistent chalky tannins and backed by lilac, violet, rooibos tea and savory notes along the way. The long finish ripples with fresh acidity. Best from 2020 through 2036. From France.-J.M.