Moving to Gigondas and the estate’s classic cuvee, the 2010 Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine is a knockout blend of 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre that comes from 45-year-old vines and higher elevation, terraced vineyards. Smelling like an open air street market in the south of France, with classic Gigondas spice, pepper, leather and sweet red and black fruit, this medium to full-bodied, rich and surprisingly polished wine has great mid-palate depth and sweet tannin. It will drink well for over a decade. Founded in 1905, Clos des Cazaux is run today by Maurice Vache and his two sons, Jean-Michel and Frederic. Covering roughly 60 acres in Gigondas and 37 in Vacqueyras, this estate produces a number of cuvees, with the style being predominantly traditional; however, some new oak barrels are used for the Syrah. This is a rock-solid lineup of wines. Importers: Kysela Pere et Fils, Winchester, VA; tel. (540) 722-9228; Arborway Imports, Lexington, MA; tel. (781) 863-1753; and Riservati, Seattle, WA; tel. (206) 623-5758