2007 Domaine Santa Duc Côtes du Rhône Les Vieilles Vignes

The 2007 Cotes du Rhone Vieilles Vignes (75% Grenache and the rest Syrah) is opulent, fleshy, and rich, with a dark ruby/purple color, medium to full body, and admirable flavor intensity. It does not offer a great deal of complexity, but it is mouthfilling and satisfying. It should drink well for 2-3 years. Yves Gras is one of the great personalities of the southern Rhone, and I always enjoy my visits with him. Aside from his passion and singular personality is his exceptional talent for winemaking and vineyard management. First, as I have indicated in the past, he has a small negociant operation. There are very few efforts in 2008 under the “Santa Duc Selection” moniker because of the challenging vintage; he did show me three wines. The estate wines in 2008 include only one cuvee of Gigondas, as there will be no Les Hautes Garrigues produced, or his new baby, the Grand Grenache 66. The three cuvees of 2007 are certainly the finest wines I have tasted from Yves Gras since I started visiting him in the mid-1980s. Importer: Robert Kacher Selections, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 832-9083