The debut vintage from this new negociant operation, 1994, gives considerable promise for the success this firm is likely to enjoy. The tough-textured, traditional, dense, tannic, spicy, medium to full-bodied 1994 Gigondas boasts an impressive ruby/purple color. This backward wine offers up aromas of tree bark and spices. Not surprisingly, it contains 15% Mourvedre in the blend, giving the wine its formidable structure and backward style. If it blossoms, it will merit an even higher rating. At present, it is austere, although well-endowed. Give it 2-4 years of cellaring, and drink it over the following decade. This wine was tasted between June 1 and June 16, 1996.None of the 1994 and 1995 wines reviewed in this section had yet been bottled, but since they are bottled barrel by barrel, with no fining or filtration, the notes should be relatively reflective of the different qualitative levels.