If one grower can be said to have put Gigondas on the map then that would be Yves Gras at Santa Duc. Yves took over the domaine upon the retirement of his father in 1985, previously the entire production was sold in bulk to the negotiates. Yves then took it upon himself to bottle his father's 1982 wine which was still in barrel and look for customers. Eighteen years later, with a brand new cuverie and a demand that way out-strips supply, Yves can boast that 95% of his entire production goes for export: an extraordinary achievement. The estate comprises nineteen hectares of vineyards with ten hectares in Gigondas itself. A strong believer in Mourvedre, Yves has slowly replanted many of his vineyards and now has around 30% in total. Here, everything is done to limit yields, including removal of excess bunches in July. Defoliation of the vines also enables the grapes to absorb more sunlight and helps to eliminate the danger of rot in the Autumn. Yves harvests late and personally sorts the good grapes from the bad as they are picked. In the cellars the grapes are not de-stemmed and only lightly crushed before fermentation. The wines undergo a long maceration, frequently over a month (in 1996 the Hautes Garrigues cuvee was still fermenting, albeit slowly, a year after the harvest!). Yves' 'flagship' wine is the special, limited Gigondas made from 50 year old vines grown on the nearby hills known as 'Les Hautes Garrigues".

"There are some other brilliant wines made in Gigondas, but readers will not find anything better than Santa Duc's two cuvees." Robert Parker

Gigondas Prestige des Hautes Garrigues
2001 $45.99 available
"Saturated ruby-red. Brooding aromas of bitter cherry, leather, pipe tobacco and Valrhona chocolate; showing strong suggestions of surmaturite. Then huge, thick and robust, with powerfully ripe, peppery, mourvedre-influenced flavors spreading out to capture the entire palate. Began a bit aggressive but turned increasingly silky as it opened in the glass. Finishes with great grip and ripeness, with the tannins coating the front teeth. In its extreme ripeness and huge dimension, this reminded me of a Chateauneuf du Pape from Henri Bonneau." 94 Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar #112
"The 2001 Gigondas Les Hautes Garrigues Cuvee Prestige reveals a cooler climate, incredibly delineated style with remarkable freshness for a wine of such volume, intensity, and power. Layers of blackberry, kirsch, and cassis flavors with underlying minerality as well as sweet vanilla caresses the palate. This full-bodied, concentrated effort requires 4-6 years of cellaring; it will keep until 2020." 92-94 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #145
2000 $44.99 limited
"The prodigious 2000 Gigondas Les Hautes Garrigues Cuvee Prestige is akin to liqueur of Gigondas. The color is a saturated purple. The bouquet of pepper and blackberry as well as blueberry liqueur is followed by immense body, fabulous concentration, excellent purity, and moderate tannin. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2015." 91-94 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #138
"Grenache with 20% Mourvedre; bottled in September of 2002; went through malolactic fermentation and elevage in barriques, 40% new and the rest once-used) Full ruby. Explosive aromas of surmaturite: black raspberry, dark chocolate, smoked meat, roasted nuts and garrigue. Huge and voluptuous, with superripe Christmas cake and dark chocolate flavors. Roasted ripeness verges on port-like. Finishes with rich chocolatey flavor and big, dusty tannins. A massive wine that holds nothing back. 92 Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 1/2-03
1999 $41.99 very limited
"A blockbuster Gigondas, delivering lots of fruit and real grip of earth and mineral, with massive, ripe tannins. Could be riper, but it's full-bodied. Plenty of depth and terroir suggest a long life; it's worth cellaring to capture the potential. Best from 2005 through 2012. 1,500 cases made." 93 The Wine Spectator 11/30/01
"The stunning 1999 Gigondas Les Hautes Garrigues Cuvee Prestige spent 23 months in barriques, of which 40% was new. Made from 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvedre that achieved 15.5% natural alcohol, it boasts a saturated purple color as well as immense body, a layered texture, and pure cassis, kirsch, and blackberry flavors along with a subtle note of wood. The finish lasts for 30-35 seconds. There are 1,500 cases of this 1999, which appears to be the wine of the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2016." 92 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 1998

Gigondas
Gigondas is a rugged area of mountains and very rocky terrain located in the eastern Rhone Valley. The wine is rich and focused with a complex leathery, red berry-cassis, oak-tinged and rustic spicy-herb nose. It gives off a beautiful but slight bouquet of sur-maturit?, or super-ripe fruit. The palate is massive with deep extract flavors of cassis and cherry, and a chunky texture that has plenty of acidity. The wine finishes deep and layered, with a rustic grapey note. The blend is 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 5% Mourvedre from vines with an average age of 35-50 years. The wine is aged in 1/3 foudres and 2/3 small oak casks for 14 months and bottled unfiltered.
2002 $31.99
"The 2002 Gigondas (80% Grenache and the rest Mourvedre, Syrah, and Cinsault) is surprisingly good. Yves Gras told me that some of his Grenache lots came in at 17%, and he harvested extremely late, trying to achieve as much ripeness as possible. The medium-bodied 2002 Gigondas reveals good depth as well as an attractive attack and a spicy finish revealing plenty of cherry and blueberry fruit. It tips the scales at a whopping 15.6% natural alcohol. It will drink well for 5-6 years." Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #151
2001 $29.99 available
"Red-ruby. Roasted fruits, spicecake, leather and licorice on the nose. Superconcentrated, sappy and sweet, with a glyceral texture and terrific verve. This has an impressively powerful core of fruit. Explosive back end features superripe but fresh flavor and big but sweet tannins. Very strong Gigondas." 93 Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 1/2/04
"75% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah and 5% miscellaneous varieties) Aged 14 months in old wood foudres, with 1/3 then moved into smaller oak barrels. It is loaded with blueberry fruit as well as notions of acacia flowers and crushed stones. A certain minerality is found in many 2001 Gigondas, perhaps because this appellation has a cooler microclimate than other parts of the southern Rhone. This offering possesses good acidity, considerable fragrance and a medium to full bodied, long finish. It needs another 2-3 years to round into optimum drinking condition and will keep for 12-15 years." 90+ Robert parker, The Wine Advocate #151
2000 $27.99 limited
"Bottled in April of 2002; aged 70% in barriques and 30% in foudres) Deep red-ruby. Rustic aromas of nuts, resin, herbs, licorice and gibier. Big, sweet and spicy, with flavors of blackberry, black raspberry, bitter chocolate and spice cake. High-toned but fresh, with good structure and grip." 90 Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 1/2-03
"The fat, jammy, full-bodied 2000 Gigondas (14.9% natural alcohol) offers aromas of minerals, blueberries, black raspberries, and cherries. While pure and fruit-driven, I am sure there is more tannin and structure underneath the wealth of fruit and glycerin. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2012." 89-91 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #138
1998 $29.99 very limited
"Distinguished, deep and complex Rhone, offering layers of wet earth, mineral and ripe fruit in a seductive and harmonious combination. Superb midpalate concentration. Full-bodied and intense, with massive but refined tannins. Still, it needs aging. Best from 2003 through 2020. Highly Recommended" 95 The Wine Spectator 8/31/00
"The 1998 Gigondas (which achieved a whopping 15.3% alcohol) is a terrific, powerful, multidimensional effort with glorious levels of glycerin as well as black cherry and cassis fruit. Expressive and flamboyant, yet fresh, full-bodied, and lively, it will last for a decade or more. However, it will be hard to resist young." 90 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #131

Cotes du Rhone Quarte Terres
The fruit comes from four vineyards (the Quarte Terres); Rasteau (1/3), Seguret (1/3) and a blend of Vacqueyras and Roaix (1/3). A Provencal red of dimension and flavor. Very purple and concentrated, this is a wine for those folks that look for the authentic. A blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 8% Cinsault with an average age of 30+ years. Made from lots of late harvested fruit, fermented in tank with the stems and bottled unfiltered.
2001 $13.99 available
""The 2001 Cotes du Rhone Les Quatres Terres is terrific. Produced from a vineyard planted just outside the Gigondas border, it is a blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and the rest Mourvedre and Cinsault. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by a bouquet of sweet blackberries, blueberries, and cherries, a superb texture, a plush, full-bodied palate, and a long, supple finish." 90+ Robert parker, The Wine advocate #145
"The knockout Quatres Terres is a great buy. Medium to full bodied, with loads of black cherry fruit as well as hints of coffee and pepper in its meaty, substantial texture, it is not easy to find this type of Cotes du Rhones, but it will provide enjoyment over the next 4-5 years. It's a beauty!" Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #151
"Bright red-ruby. Rustic, superripe aromas of black fruits, game, boudin noir and damp earth. Sweet, thick and hugely ripe but with adequate acidity. A major chocolatey mouthful with freakish volume for a Cotes du Rhone (all the fruit is from villages appellations, says Gras). Finishes with big, dusty tannins." Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 1/2-03

Cairanne Cotes du Rhone Villages les Buissens
Roughly three kilometers to the west of Gigondas, Cairanne lies to the south adjoining Rasteau to the north. The vineyards lie on the edge of what is known as the Plan de Dieu (the Plain of God), which was formed by old riverbed deposits. The exposure here is south/south east. All of the fruit is harvested at vineyards owned by Yves Gras? cousin, and the yields are well below the 52 hecto/hectare allowed for the appellation of Cotes du Rhone Villages. The blend is 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre, with vines ranging between 30 and 60 years of age.
2001 $16.99 available
"Reveals the southern Rhone's rustic, animal side with high tannin, a distinctive loamy/earthy component, good body, excellent depth and a certain rusticity. ...this distinctive effort will drink well for 4-5 years." Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #151
2000 $15.99 limited
"Red-ruby. Slightly medicinal aromas of black cherry and menthol. Lush, mouthfilling flavors of black fruits, chocolate and licorice. In a very tender style; sweet and easygoing. Finishes with sweet, even tannins." Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 1/2-03

Rasteau Cotes du Rhone Villages Vieilles Vignes les Blovac
Roughly three kilometers to the west of Gigondas, Rasteau lies to the north adjoining Cairanne to the south. The vineyards lie on the edge of what is known as the Plan de Dieu (the Plain of God), which was formed by old riverbed deposits. The exposure here is south/south east. All of the fruit is harvested at vineyards owned by Yves Gras? cousin, and the yields are well below the 52 hecto/hectare allowed for the appellation of Cotes du Rhone Villages. The blend is 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre, with vines ranging between 30 and 60 years of age.
2001 $15.99 limited
"Full ruby-red. Superripe, expressive aromas of blackberry, roasted meat, leather, spicecake and game; distinct hints of surmaturite Thick and highly concentrated, with very ripe, palate-coating flavors of dark berries, spices and roasted meat. Finishes with big, ripe, chocolatey tannins and excellent length. A very impressive, thoroughly satisfying negociant offering from Yves Gras." 90 Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 1/2/04
"Offers up aromas of sweet white chocolate, black currant, tobacco leaf and hickory like barbeque spices. Medium to full bodied, rich and substantial. Consume it over the next 5-6 years." Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #151
2000 $15.99 very limited
"The 2000 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Rasteau Vieilles Vignes Les Blovac is big and rustic. A blend of 70% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, and 15% Syrah grown on Rasteau's steep hillsides, it reveals exuberant black cherry and blackberry fruit with a hint of espresso and chocolate. It will benefit from six more months of cellaring, and keep for a minimum of 2-3 years." Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

Cotes du Rhone Vieilles Vignes
The Vieilles Vignes is a blend of fruit from Gigondas? neighboring villages of Vacqueyras (25%), Rasteau (25%), Seguret (25%) and Roaix (25%). This wine is technically a C?tes du Rhone Villages, as it comes from the best designated villages in the appellation. The blend is composed of 70% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 5% Mourvedre, from vines with an average age of 40 years. Yields are held to 42 he/ha, 15% below the maximum allowed. This wine is bottled unfiltered
2001 $13.99 available
"(Primarily from Rasteau and Cairanne) Exhibits a deep ruby/purple color along with a meaty, chocolatey notes intertwined with berry fruit, pepper and earth. Drink this sizeable red over the next 4-5 years." Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #151
2000 $13.99 very limited
"Dark red-ruby. Explosive aromas of black raspberry, chocolate and leather. Fat, lush and full, with somewhat rustic flavors of black fruits, leather and game and ripe firming acids. Finishes with ripe, sweet tannins. Very Grenache. Really needs six more months of bottle aging." Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 1/2-03

Heritage
This special bottling called Heritage is 100% Grenache, and is harvested very late to ensure maximum ripeness. This wine savagely attacks the palate with strong Provencal flavors, much like the wines of neighboring Chateauneuf-du-Pape. This cuvee is produced to give the serious wine drinker an opportunity to taste pure Grenache. This wine is virile and can be aged four to six years for added complexity. A great value.
2000 $17.99 available
"The 2000 Heritage is another vin de pays from some of the estates youngest vines. Made from 100% Grenache (all from the appellation of Gigondas even though Yves Gras calls it VDP) it was aged in tank and bottled quickly to take advantage of its vibrant, straightforward, black cherry and raspberry fruit." Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #145

Vaucluse Vin de Pays
2001 $9.99 limited
"The Domaine Santa Duc offerings include several lower level wines entitled only to vins de pays status. However, they should not be overlooked. Santa Duc's 2001 les Plans (a tank aged blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Merlot) achieved 14% natural alcohol. It is a soft, delicious, black fruit dominated, medium to full bodied red that is a sensational value. Not complicated, it is a mouthfilling, velvety textured VDP Vaucluse to enjoy over the next year." Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

Yves Gras (on barrel) and Robert Kacher