2017 Gigondas Cuvée Le Lieu Dit Domaine des Bosquets

Tasted blind. Juicy, ripe, succulent red fruit that is pure, classic Grenache. Firm, clay-textured tannins coat the palate, but the acid rescues the balance on the finish. A tour de force, and worth waiting for in bottle so that greater complexity might emerge. (RH) 15% Drink 2021-2031.

The 2017 Gigondas Le Lieu Dit is, as always, the most finesse oriented and elegant in the lineup. Coming from a sandy, cooler parcel just outside the domaine and all Grenache (70% destemmed) brought up in old demi-muids, it offers a more ruby color as well as a massive perfume of wild strawberries, kirsch liqueur, dried soil, and flowery incense. Full-bodied, incredibly pure, and perfectly balanced, it's another straight-up thrilling wine from Brechet that will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and keep for 10-15 years or more. 2019 - 2034.

The 2017 Gigondas le Lieu Dit incorporates 30% whole clusters yet shows no green, stemmy characters at this stage of its evolution. It's loaded with purple raspberries, framed by incredibly silky tannins, lush and ripe without any warmth evident on the long finish. Tasted twice, showing more tannic grip and woody notes on one occasion. 2020 - 2030.

This mixes red and black currant fruit with notes of sage, alder and tobacco, ending with a tug of chalky minerality. Features perfume, flesh and a little more grip than most in the vintage. Best from 2020 through 2032.