2022 Moulin de la Gardette "Cuvée Ventabren" Gigondas

Tasted blind. Pepper and leather notes on the nose. The palate has a sweetness as well as a floral character. The tannins are present and really well managed – fine-grained and delicate yet still with a firmness and grip. Red fruit-led, tinned strawberry and liquorice, with a ripe and layered finish. Impressive and shows real finesse. (AC) 17/20

This could be called the big brother of the "Tradition" as it's fuller, rounder and deeper. It offers the juiciness of the vintage with an impressive overall complexity that makes this a truly oustanding wine. I love the overall balance and complexity of this "Ventabren" and am reminded why this remains a staff and customer favorite.

Another absolutely lovely bottle coming out of the Rhone, I'm excited and a little surprised with how much I enjoyed this whole tasting and this was absolutely a highlight. I always love when our direct imports show so well, and this one was showing great today. The nose has some pretty fruit, but a lot of really lovely dried herbs, it's just so well rounded and there's this pretty density at the very tail end that goes a touch floral with a sort of bay leaf note somewhere flying in the back. This is the kind of wine that I want to sit down to some braised meat with, it's got enough fruit to complicate but savory enough to match and pair. Just great.