The 2016 Gigondas Vieux Clocher is a firmly tannic wine that looks likely to require some patience. Hints of green hay, stone fruit and anise mark the nose, while the palate is full-bodied and concentrated, firming up on the finish.

Another mouth-filling, rustic red is the 2015 Gigondas Vieux Clocher, which is 65% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre aged in foudre. It has lots of dark fruits, earth and leather in a chewy style, with plenty of Gigondas character.

The 2014 Gigondas Vieux Clocher is another well-made wine from this Negociant that has classic notes of sweet red and black fruits, earth, spice and plenty of garrigue in a charming, forward, pleasure-driven style. Drink it over the coming 4-5 years.

The 2011 Gigondas Vieux Clocher is an old vine blend of 70% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 5% Mourvedre that’s aged all in foudre. Medium-bodied, sweetly fruited and with savory, chewy tannin, if gives up plenty of sweet spice, cedar, charred earth and black raspberry nuances on the nose. A good to very good effort, it should drink nicely for 5-7 years. This large estate produces a bevy of rich, fruit-forward efforts that remain more than reasonably priced. Looking at the 2011s, this is a solid vintage here and the wines make the most of the vintage, with upfront fruit and texture. Importer: Grape Expectations, Raleigh, NC; tel. (919) 781-1655

The top cuvee of Gigondas, the 2009 Gigondas Vieux Clocher-Nobles Terrasses is a blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 15% Mourvedre aged six months in foudre. The wine shows classic notes of tobacco leaf, garrigue, black cherries, plums and figs. Ripe, medium to full-bodied and heady with abundant glycerin as well as flavor, it should be consumed over the next 7-8 years. (Not yet released) With approximately 100 acres of vines in Vacqueyras, Arnoux et Fils is one of the largest of the family-owned, estate-bottled producers. Importer: Grape Expectations, Raleigh, NC ; tel. (919) 781-1655