Like the 2017 sample, the 2018 Gigondas didn't seem quite right. (Note: These were tasted blind, so I had no way of knowing they were both from the same producer until well after the tasting.) Grassy and herbal, with a hint of pickle brine, it's full-bodied and concentrated but overly tannic and tough. From a normally reliable producer, I'd guess this was just an example of a sample being off, and I look forward to retrying it next year.