The 2016 Gigondas Cuvee Combe Sauvage rivals some of the domaine's bottlings from Chateauneuf du Pape, offering subtle black cherry and plum fruit, a full-bodied, richly concentrated and velvety-textured palate and complex hints of cola, spice and mocha on the lingering finish. It's immediately approachable, but it should still age well for at least a decade.

Tasted out of barrel and the seeing the same blend and elevage as the 2011, the 2012 Gigondas Combe Sauvage has loads of potential with its perfumed bouquet, medium-bodied texture and lengthy finish. Offering up pretty nuances of red fruits, dried flowers, pepper and spice, this elegant, supple and pure effort will have 8-10 years of longevity. Importer: Milton Road Trading, LLC, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 948-MRTC and Vins du Midi Wine Importing, Eugene, OR; tel. (541) 485-0151

Also sweetly fruited, yet with additional focus and length, the 2011 Gigondas Combe Sauvage is a beauty. Comprised of 75% Grenache and the balance Mourvedre, Cinsault, Syrah and Clairette, it offers up classic Gigondas spice, dried flowers, cedar and sweet red and black cherry-styled fruit. This flows to a medium-bodied, sweetly fruited and nicely textured 2011 that does everything right. It too should be consumed over the coming 4-5 years or so. Importer: Milton Road Trading, LLC, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 948-MRTC and Vins du Midi Wine Importing, Eugene, OR; tel. (541) 485-0151

Domaine de Fontavin's 1996 Gigondas Cuvee Combe Sauvage is a winner. The color is a dark ruby/purple, and the wine possesses a sweet inner-core of ripe fruit suggestive of old vines and/or low yields. The dense purple color is followed by a medium to full-bodied wine with sweet kirsch and framboise-like fruit intertwined with pepper, spice, and licorice. This purely made, dense, chewy Gigondas should age well for a decade, although it will be accessible young. I have never before tasted the wines from this estate, run by Martine and Michel Chouvet, but I was impressed by both the 1995 and 1996 Gigondas, especially the strong 1996, from a vintage that produced a plethora of light to medium-weight wines that are meant to be drunk within 4-5 years of the vintage. This estate merits a closer look - importers take note! No known American importer.

The 1995 Gigondas Cuvee Combe Sauvage is an intensely fragrant wine with loads of peppery spice, along with jammy cherry, kirsch, and blackberry flavors. Broadly-flavored and expansive, with full body, a touch of pain grille, and a generous palate, this is a soft, accessible yet well-endowed Gigondas to drink over the next 8-10 years. I have never before tasted the wines from this estate, run by Martine and Michel Chouvet, but I was impressed by both the 1995 and 1996 Gigondas, especially the strong 1996, from a vintage that produced a plethora of light to medium-weight wines that are meant to be drunk within 4-5 years of the vintage. This estate merits a closer look - importers take note! No known American importer.