2016 Gigondas Cuvee Tradition

Leading off the 2016s from bottle, the 2016 Gigondas Tradition (80% Grenache and 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre) is a smoking wine that’s worthy of a case purchase. Sweet black raspberry and blackberry fruits, notes of spice, garrigue, and graphite, medium to full body, and a sexy, seamless texture all make for one hedonistic yet classy Gigondas that will keep for 10-15 years.

About as traditional as a 2016 Gigondas Tradition can get, the blend of 80% Grenache and 10% each Mourvèdre and Syrah is fermented on the stems with indigenous yeasts and aged in old foudres. Peppery, stemmy notes accent the black cherry fruit in this full-bodied, creamy-textured wine that's rich, powerful and concentrated, with a long, velvety finish. It should drink well for a decade.

Vivid ruby-red. Ripe dark berries, pungent flowers and a strong garrigue note on the focused, spice-accented nose. Juicy and chewy in texture, offering sappy black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that flesh out and take a sweeter turn with air. Shows a smoky mineral note on the youthfully tannic finish, which shows strong tension and leaves a suggestion of licorice behind.