Saint Damien Gigondas La Louisiane 2015 (750ML)

95 WA / 95 JD / 92-94 VM

My pick of the cuvées in 2015 is the 2015 Gigondas La Louisiane, a blend of 80% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre and the rest Cinsault and Syrah. From south-facing slopes of red clay and sand, this shows incredible detail in its aromas of garrigue and raspberries, then folds in richer notes of dark chocolate. This is full-bodied and velvety in feel, with just a hint of warmth on the finish. It should drink well for a decade, possibly longer. - Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate

The 2015 Gigondas Cuvee Louisiane comes from a site located just beside the domaine, which is a mix of clay and sandy soils. Aged all in foudre, it boasts terrific notes of framboise, spring flowers, black raspberries and orange blossom (which I normally find more in the Les Souteyrades release). This full-bodied, deep, layered 2015 has a big mid-palate, is impeccably balanced and shows the purity and finesse that’s common in the vintage. - Jeb Dunnuck (formerly Wine Advocate)

Opaque ruby. Sexy, highly perfumed aromas of candied red and dark berries, incense and smoky minerals, joined by a slowly emerging floral note. Juicy, broad and energetic on the palate, offering intense raspberry, cherry and spicecake flavors and a suggestion of candied flowers. Finishes sweet, lively and youthfully tannic, delivering superb, spice- and mineral-driven persistence. - Josh Raynolds, Vinous Media