2022 Gigondas, Les Racines, Domaine Les Pallières, Vignobles Brunier, Rhône

Cask sample. Very appealing and vibrant nose, which is packed full of dark fruit, thyme and herbal notes. A rich, dense, compact palate with lavender, garrigue and firm but succulent tannins – lovely extraction. Liquorice and leather on the textured finish. Plush and structured.

Drink 2025 - 2033

From older vines around the estate, the 2022 Gigondas Les Racines is 85% Grenache and the balance Syrah and Cinsault, aged two years in foudre. It's similarly ruby-hued and reveals slightly darker aromatics of black cherries, black licorice, peppery garrigue, and crushed stone. Richer and full-bodied, with slightly more volume compared to the Diable, as well as building tannins, it's going to need 2-4 years of bottle age.

Much deeper and more expressive than the domaine’s classic cuvée, with a more herbal character on the nose, and darker in colour. Enjoyable menthol touch to the fruit. Full-bodied, juicy, with good acidity and a vinous, tense feel on the palate, and a long finish. It has a leanness to go with the juicy fruit which gives some relief in the wine. Some whole bunch in this old vine cuvée, and longer maceration. Likely to offer good value.

Drink 2023 - 2032