2007 Montirius "Terre des Aînés" Gigondas (1.5L)

SKU #1111739 93 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

Vivid ruby. Exotic, expressive aromas of black raspberry, kirsch, baking spice and herbs, with a touch of dried rose. Showing considerable complexity already, with sweet red and dark fruit flavors and a lashing of zesty spices. Finishes with excellent clarity and sweet, penetrating persistence. As much as this offers today, I'd hold off on opening mine for another few years. (1/ 2010)

90 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The brilliant 2007 Gigondas Terres des Aines has a dense ruby/blue/purple color and is accompanied by attractive aromas of white flowers, powdered rocks, boysenberries, and blueberries. Dense, rich, and well-made with sweet tannin as well as fresh acidity, which provides vivacity and buttresses the wine’s richness, it should drink well for 7-8 years. (10/ 2009)

90 points Wine Enthusiast

Already showing slight color evolution, the nose is intense and complex. Aromas of dusty cherry, woodsy wild strawberry , leather and spice. Full-bodied, creamy, smooth and round in the mouth with flavors of baked fruit and fine herbs. Tannins firm up on the finish, which is long, fresh and savory. (10/ 2010)

90 points Wine Spectator

Ripe and supple, offering good plum, red currant and black licorice notes that extend through the medium-weight finish. Very polished and stylish, with impressive latent length and lingering minerality. (9/ 2010)

K&L Notes

Montirius is the impeccable fifth-generation estate of the Saurel family, a leading producer of Vacqueyras and Gigondas wines in the southern Rhone Valley. The Saurels make a range of deeply scented and flavored wines imbued with Provence's spice and structure. These are sensual wines with unusual finesse, possessing penetrating minerality and length. Planted in clay and limestone, half of the estate's vines in Gigondas were planted by the family's great grandfather in 1925. The estate has been practicing biodynamic viticulture for more than ten years. From Jancis Robinson: "Quite transparent ruby, very sweet and winning without any aggressive tannins. Well judged. Good balance." (08/2009) 15% abv.