2016 Gigondas Le Poste

The most elegant and finesse-driven of the three single vineyard releases is the 2016 Gigondas Le Poste, which comes from a terraced vineyard just up the hillside from the estate. As with the other single vineyard releases, this beauty is all Grenache that was not destemmed and was brought up mostly in older barrels. Deep purple-colored with an intense perfume of blackberries, pepper, violets, graphite, and crushed rocks, this beauty just glides over the palate carrying full-bodied richness, supple tannins, and awesome purity of fruit. It’s another incredible wine from this reference point estate.

The 2016 Gigondas le Poste has admirably fulfilled the potential I saw last year from barrel. It's full-bodied, creamy and lush, while being hugely concentrated and rich. Cherries, baking spices, hints of dark chocolate—this wine has it all, wrapped up in a nearly endless, velvety finish. This 100% old-vine Grenache is one of the finest Gigondas I've ever tasted.

Deep ruby. Mineral-accented red berry preserve and floral oil aromas are complemented by suggestions of pungent garrigue and Asian spices. Chewy, concentated and alluringly sweet, showing impressive clarity to its intense raspberry liqueur and lavender pastille flavors. Finishes extremely long and mineral, with mounting tannins coming in late.