February 25, 2023 - I believe it was corked about 5 years ago. But, the extra time has mellowed the cork notes out a bit. It has a lot of sediment - like a cup of au-jus that several revelers have shared over a dinner. It’s the same color too. Overall an 89.
January 8, 2021 - Surprisingly good, even on day 2. The oak notes are entirely gone and this is rather cool and vertical with marks of red fruit, thyme, lavender, mint. Certainly more enjoyable than 5 years ago in my book.
December 30, 2018 - From a pristine bottle with a perfect looking cork. This wine seemed very youthful and very modernist style, ie dark in colour with oak. It was not much like other Gigondas I’ve had of similar age. In particular, it was quite different from the 1998 Domaine Brusset Gigondas Tradition Le Grand Montmirail I had recently which seemed to see way less new oak.
The fruit was dominant and much darker black fruit then I’d expect from Southern Rhône along with floral notes. This seemed a bit Bordeaux like. Certainly smooth, fragrant and easy to drink my biggest complaint would be the lack of terroir showing through.
February 10, 2018 - Drinking fantastically with crisp red fruit and a tangy herbaceousness, it is quite fresh and youthful and reminds me a lot of a young Gamay from Debize or Souhaut. I had it frequently in its youth and never would have predicted that it would evolve like this.
October 17, 2015 - All of the 98 Rhones I've had were much better at release. I would have better enjoyed these if consumed early. While not bad, aging has done nothing to improve the experience. This is coming from someone who enjoys aged wines.
February 17, 2015 - The underlying material is quite okay here, but then there's the overlay from new oak that distorts the picture. Not a bad wine, just not my style. Get rid of the new oak and I'd be fine.
September 8, 2014 - I have had many up's and down's with this wine over the years. This, my last bottle, sits squarely in the middle. There is the lovely red color, silky profile and red fruit flavors. On the other hand, the nose is too dominated by sandalwood and oak and this woody nature manifests itself in a strong, bitter way on the finish. (86)
September 22, 2013 - Color: medium/light ruby -> light ruby rim with slight bricking. Bouquet showing a little sour cherry, leather, some garrigue. Transparent, light fruit on the palate with plums, cherries, herbs and minerality. Good acidity and still somewhat rustic tannins on the medium-long, slightly bitter finish. Undoubtedly fully mature and probably holding at this level for a few years; time to enjoy.
September 21, 2013 - Still dark, with some brick. Please, black cherry and garrigue in a muted, mature package. Pretty still, but drink 'em up.
May 18, 2013 - Drank at Les Infideles in Montreal. Nose took 30 - 45 minutes of breathing in bottle to open up, and revealed nicely typical aged southern rhone notes; smoked cigar ash, crushed rocks, smoked meat, strawberry and raspberry fruit. The palate was initially very tough with a sour and astringent finish (akin to an underripe strawberry) which held this wine back a bit. As it began to breathe the fruit came out to play and made the palate more appealing albeit still with some rugged toughness on the finish.