More fresh, simple and one-dimensional, the 2014 Cuvee de la Tour Sarrasine offers clean notes of cherries, raspberries and spring flowers, with bright acidity and a narrow finish. Drink it over the coming 3-4 years.

The 2013 Cuvee de la Tour Sarrasine looks to be a step up over the 2014. The same blend and elevage, its translucent ruby color is followed by classic, perfumed notes of savory herbs, potpourri and leather. These all flow nicely to a medium-bodied, deliciously Provencal 2013 that has good concentration and a fresh, focused profile on the palate. It’s ideal for drinking over the coming 7-8 years.

Tasted out of barrel, and an incredible looking effort, the 2012 Gigondas Tour Sarrasine should not be missed! A blend of 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre that comes from 45-year-old vines, it boasts awesome, spice-laced blackcurrant fruit, underbrush, garrigue and pepper-driven aromatics that flow to a rich, layered and gorgeously concentrated Gigondas. Count me a fan and this should be just as good, if not better than the 2010. It should have 10-12 years or more of longevity. (Not yet released) Founded in 1905, Clos des Cazaux is run today by Maurice Vache and his two sons, Jean-Michel and Frederic. Covering roughly 60 acres in Gigondas and 37 in Vacqueyras, this estate produces a number of cuvees, with the style being predominantly traditional; however, some new oak barrels are used for the Syrah. This is a rock-solid lineup of wines. Importers: Kysela Pere et Fils, Winchester, VA; tel. (540) 722-9228; Arborway Imports, Lexington, MA; tel. (781) 863-1753; and Riservati, Seattle, WA; tel. (206) 623-5758

Tasted out of barrel, the 2011 Gigondas Tour Sarrasine (same elevage/blend as the 2010) comes from higher elevation, terraced vineyards and is a blend of 75% Grenache and the balance Syrah and Mourvedre, aged 24 months in concrete tank. Medium to full-bodied, beautifully textured, focused and with bright acidity and notable tannin, this classic, age-worthy effort offers notions of underbrush, damp earth, ground pepper and spice as well as a core of vibrant fruit on the nose. Drink it over the coming decade or more. Founded in 1905, Clos des Cazaux is run today by Maurice Vache and his two sons, Jean-Michel and Frederic. Covering roughly 60 acres in Gigondas and 37 in Vacqueyras, this estate produces a number of cuvees, with the style being predominantly traditional; however, some new oak barrels are used for the Syrah. This is a rock-solid lineup of wines. Importers: Kysela Pere et Fils, Winchester, VA; tel. (540) 722-9228; Arborway Imports, Lexington, MA; tel. (781) 863-1753; and Riservati, Seattle, WA; tel. (206) 623-5758

Moving to Gigondas and the estate’s classic cuvee, the 2010 Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine is a knockout blend of 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre that comes from 45-year-old vines and higher elevation, terraced vineyards. Smelling like an open air street market in the south of France, with classic Gigondas spice, pepper, leather and sweet red and black fruit, this medium to full-bodied, rich and surprisingly polished wine has great mid-palate depth and sweet tannin. It will drink well for over a decade. Founded in 1905, Clos des Cazaux is run today by Maurice Vache and his two sons, Jean-Michel and Frederic. Covering roughly 60 acres in Gigondas and 37 in Vacqueyras, this estate produces a number of cuvees, with the style being predominantly traditional; however, some new oak barrels are used for the Syrah. This is a rock-solid lineup of wines. Importers: Kysela Pere et Fils, Winchester, VA; tel. (540) 722-9228; Arborway Imports, Lexington, MA; tel. (781) 863-1753; and Riservati, Seattle, WA; tel. (206) 623-5758