A blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, the 2020 Gigondas matured in a mix of foudres (70%) and smaller-format oak (30%). Black cherries and blackberries appear on the nose of this medium to full-bodied effort, which finishes clean and crisp, with a firmly tannic foundation.

The 2019 Gigondas—an 80-20 blend of Grenache and Syrah—offers enticing scents of dried spices, licorice and blackberries on the nose. It's medium to full-bodied and firmly structured, but it's one of Vidal Fleury's better efforts in 2019.

The 2018 Gigondas features bright cherry fruit dusted with a subtle dose of dried spices. Full-bodied, creamy and lush in texture, with hints of espresso and dark chocolate on the finish, it stands out in this vintage's collection from Vidal Fleury.

I did not taste a 2009 Gigondas, but the 2010 Gigondas (75% Grenache and 25% Syrah) is a backward, tannic, beefy wine that will require cellaring upon release (given its tannin levels, I suspect it will spend more time in barrel than usual). (Not yet released)My visit to the impressive, modern facilities at Vidal-Fleury in the Cote Blonde sector of Cote Rotie went well as I believe this is an up-and-coming producer. Owners Marcel and Philippe Guigal and the estate’s director, Guy Sarton de Jonchay, are instituting an earlier bottling, resulting in more freshness and lively fruit in the wines.Importer: William Deutsch and Sons, White Plains, NY; tel. (914) 251-WINE

Already bottled and just hitting the market is the 2007 Gigondas. As one might expect from this great vintage, this wine offers plenty of minerality and big, delicious boysenberry and black raspberry fruit with a hint of spring flowers. A blend of primarily Grenache and some Syrah, it should be enjoyed over the next 8-10 years. Anyone who has visited the Cote Rotie recently probably couldn't help but notice the extraordinary new winemaking facility of Vidal-Fleury, situated at the foot of some of the finest Cote Rotie vineyards on the Cote Blonde. Guigal, who has owned Vidal-Fleury for 26 years, seems to have finally gotten this firm where the quality of the wines is first and foremost. Of course, the Maison Vidal-Fleury is one of the oldest in the entire Rhone Valley, with its history dating back to 1781. It was first located at the entrance to the little one-horse village of Ampuis, and the historic building is still there. Most of the wines are negociant blends, including the southern Rhone wines. With their new facility and a complete make-over of the winemaking team, quality has jumped significantly, and this is now clearly a negociant to keep an eye on for both quality and value. Much of this is to the credit of father and son Marcel and Philippe Guigal as well as the new Director General of Maison Vidal-Fleury, Guy Sarton de Jonchay.Importer: William Deutsch and Sons, White Plains, NY; tel. (914) 251-WINE