This is a nice value with great texture and ripe balance with flavors of blackberry and black currants with a long finish. 

Vibrant, with a fresh core of cherry and cassis notes backed by anise, applewood and garrigue hints through the finish. Nice underlying juiciness throughout. Best from 2022 through 2029. 1,500 cases made, 160 cases imported. Wine Spectator – 92 points

Curls of dark chocolate, shaved cinnamon and truffle lend a spicy, smoky intensity to fresh, cutting red plum and raspberry flavors here. Full bodied and high impact in flavor, it's a juicy, lusciously concentrated blend of organically farmed Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah that's ready to drink now but likely to improve further through 2030 at least. ANNA LEE C IIJIMA Dec 2021 Wine Enthusiast – 94 points

We found this to be an excellent entry-level Gigondas. The nose is minty with notes of pine as well, joining red and black berries. It is medium plus in weight with intensity and a warming character. Red, purple and black fruits mingle with viney-stemmy flavors in this rustic Gigondas.

WINE INFORMATION

This estate is run by Jean-Mark Autran and his wife, Sophie. It was started by Jean Marc’s great grandfather, Alphonse Vautour. The winery is located in the Cotes-du-Rhone Villages AOC of Sablet, a small village just next to Gigondas in France’s Southern Rhone Valley. The Autrans own 30 hectares of vineyard parcels (75 acres) on various soil types in Sablet, Gigondas, and general Cote-du-Rhone sites. Their daughter Maude assists with the business, focusing on marketing and sales.

The family cultivates about 9 acres of organic vines in the Gigondas AOC which are 40-45 years of age. These are located on the cool side of the Dentelles de Monmirail, the small range of mountains that divide the appellation. Hand-harvested grapes are fermented in concrete vats using natural yeasts and temperature control to preserve freshness. Then the wine is aged in large foudres for 18-24 months before bottling unfiltered.

Charcuterie, Duck, Grilled preparations, Hearty stew, Lamb, Mushrooms, Pizza, Pork, Red Meat, Roasted Root Vegetables, Sausage, Slow-smoked Barbeque/BBQ Sauce, Wild Game