Another rock solid effort that was showing plenty of character was the 2006 Gigondas Romane Machotte. More forward and evolved, with pretty notes of sweet cherries, blackberries, peppery herbs and loamy earth, it’s medium-bodied, full and drinking at point. If you have bottles, now’s a good time to find that corkscrew. Note that the blend here is 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, with the wine aged 12 months in 50% large oak casks and 50% in three- to four-year-old barrels.

Almost gushes with blackberry and macerated currant fruit, but the fine minerality and lilting perfume keep this honest. The long, racy finish has latent depth. Rich and stylish. Drink now through 2013. 8,580 cases made, 1,000 cases imported.??–JM??Region: France / Southern Rh?ne / Gigondas Select to Add