2016 Gigondas Hominis Fides

One of the more backward and structured wines in the vintage is unquestionably the 2016 Gigondas Hominis Fides, which is 100% Grenache from a sandy, limestone site just across the street from the Le Claux vineyard. As always, it was not destemmed and was brought up all in barrel. Its inky purple color is followed by an extraordinary bouquet of blackcurrants, roasted garrigue, scorched earths, graphite, and an incredible sense of minerality (both in the aromatics as well as on the palate). Deep and powerful, with awesome intensity, it still stays ethereal and elegant, with no hard edges, polished tannins, a stacked mid-palate, and a blockbuster finish. A huge wine that never puts a foot wrong, this is one of the greatest Gigondas ever made! Don’t miss it.

Barruol's 2016 Gigondas Hominis Fides is tremendously concentrated and intense, boasting nearly overwhelming waves of black cherry fruit. Full-bodied, creamy and rich, it's approachable now for it's lush, velvety fruit, but if you want more nuance and spice, try to hold it for 5-10 years. It should drink well through at least 2030.

Some deeper, bolder and slightly tarry aromas to the nose, which sits on a fresh, reductive edge. The palate rolls out an array of ripe, dark, spicy fruit, delivered amid powerful, yet crisply defined tannins. Superb purity here. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.