A strong effort from this large Gigondas estate, the 2001 tips the scales at a lofty 14.7% alcohol. A deep ruby/purple-tinged color is followed by gorgeous aromatics of sweet and sour cherries, spice box, crushed stones, flowers, Provencal herbs, and loamy soil scents. Medium to full-bodied, elegant, and well-balanced, with admirable tannic structure, vigor, and freshness, it was fashioned from yields of 28 hectoliters per hectare, and aged both in tank and neutral wood foudres prior to being bottled unfiltered. The wine needs 2-3 years of cellaring, but should keep for 12-15 years. It represents the finest wine proprietors Kermit Lynch and Daniel Brunier have yet produced.Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524