2017 Gigondas Clos des Tourelles

I think a small step up over the Vieilles Vignes release in the vintage, the 2017 Gigondas Clos Des Tourelles offers more blue fruits as well as hints of wild strawberries, spice box, and violets. This full-bodied, rounded, super-sexy Gigondas has ripe tannins, terrific balance, and is just a sensational, thrilling wine that’s going to keep for two decades. In addition to the Château de Beaucastel releases, the Perrin family also releases a bevy of brilliant wines under their Famille Perrin label. Certainly, the Gigondas releases are the standouts, yet readers shouldn’t miss their Vinsobres releases; the flagship Les Hauts De Julien possibly one of the finest Syrahs dominated blend made in the southern Rhône!

Even better than I remember it being last year, and potentially edging out the L'Argnée this vintage, the 2017 Gigondas Clos des Tourelles is just flat-out terrific juice. From yields around 15 hectoliters per hectare, it's 80% Grenache and 10% each Mourvèdre and Syrah, all aged in foudre. Soaring floral notes of rose petals, violets and garrigue appear on the nose, followed by ripe raspberry flavors that flow almost weightlessly across the silky, full-bodied palate. So fine, so elegant, so long, it nearly left me speechless.

Cask sample. Much more lush and open than their L'Argnée. Generous, fleshy and satisfying. Really pretty red fruit with a floral border giving complexity. Finely woven tannins, gradual persistence. A standout. (RH)