This has a lot of stuffing and beautiful texture, with dried rose, plum coulis and bitter cherry ganache spilling across a palate upheld by mineral underpinnings. The finish is adorned with appealing spice, tapenade and tea notes, with echoes of singed apple wood. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Best from 2025 through 2035. 200 cases made, 25 cases imported.??–KB??Region: France / Southern Rh?ne / Gigondas Select to Add

There are just 200 cases of the 2017 Gigondas Les Secrets de Montmirail, drawn from three terraces high in the Dentelles. A 50-50 blend of Grenache and Syrah, it's full-bodied, dense and chocolaty, with fruit notes of black cherries and plums and a long, softly dusty finish.

This has some showy violet and ganache aromas, followed by mouthfilling fig, blackberry and black currant paste flavors, all supported by the requisite bramble- and tar-edged structure for balance. Shows terrific energy from start to finish. Best from 2020 through 2035. 300 cases made, 30 cases imported.??–JM??Region: France / Southern Rh?ne / Gigondas Select to Add

Brusset's top wine is the 2016 Gigondas Les Secrets de Montmirail, a 60-40 blend of Grenache and Syrah from just three small terraces high in the Dentelles, with the Syrah component aged in wood. It's cedary and vanilla-scented, but those qualities are matched by concentrated black cherries. Full-bodied, plush and loaded with soft tannins, it picks up lovely notes of baking spices, cracked pepper and licorice on the long finish. Ideally, give this a couple of years in the cellar. Some might consider this too modern or international, but it's just so darn delicious.