“Some of the most elegant and soulful wines in the Southern Rhône.” – Wine Advocate

Just yesterday we saw Wendy post a question in the Operative Hangout: what was your first Wine Spies purchase? And among the many answers, I saw one person posted the 2020 vintage of this same wine saying it was one of their all-time favorites.

We’ve put many smiles on the faces of the Rhône cognoscenti before. An easy thing to do, considering the utter bargain these represent.

Today we’re back to set the value bar high with another Santa Duc. This time slipping in just under $40.

You have to thank Gigondas for that. If this were a Châteauneuf-du-Pape, it’d be a whole lot more.

Benjamin Gras of Santa Duc cut his teeth at DRC and Vega Sicilia to make wine like this. Class and grace in one glass, which you hardly ever see together this well.

Rhône fans damn well know it. A Gigondas in the right hands can shame many a Châteauneuf-du-Pape, or a cult Paso red.

Per Wine Advocate, “Young Benjamin Gras appears firmly in control of the winemaking at this benchmark estate put on the map by his father, Yves. The estate has been certified biodynamic by Demeter beginning in 2017. Most of the bunches are still destemmed (60% to 70%), and the wines undergo a cold maceration of about a week prior to ferments that max out around 25 degrees Celsius. Maceration times and extraction have been steadily reined in by Benjamin, who emphasizes elegance over power. Most of the wines age in foudres, although portions of several wines spend time in amphorae. From an estate that used to be about ripeness and power, it has evolved rather quickly into one that’s more about elegance and terroir expression.”

Santa Duc is a Martine Saunier discovery. The late, great first lady of wine importing started in 1979.

About a decade ago, The Wall Street Journal crowned her “A Wine Importer Who Turned Bottles Into Stars.” She “pioneered an import business that’s brought Americans some of the greatest wines of Burgundy and the Rhône.” She introduced us to Jayer, Leroy, Rayas… should we go on?

Cult Rhône at $39, down from $60. Far less than normal offers. So you know the drill…

94 Points – James Suckling “What a beautiful Gigondas. Enticing nose of ripe raspberries with notes of licorice. Wonderful freshness and juiciness on the front palate, then the generous fine tannins come through, building beautifully in the long, complete finish. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink from release.”

93 Points – Wine Advocate “Crafted from vines planted on sandy and clay soils, the 2022 Gigondas Aux Lieux-Dits reveals a lively, gourmand bouquet of flowers, violet, dark cherries and menthol. Medium to full-bodied, enrobing and energetic, it has a lively, incisive mid-palate with perfectly ripe tannins and good depth at the core. It concludes with a vertical, elegant and ethereal finish enhanced by aromas of dark berries. This stunning Gigondas is a blend of 80% Grenache Noir, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsault and 5% Syrah, made with a portion of whole bunches (80%). Keep it over the next decade. Drink 2024-2038.”

93 Points – Decanter “This has interest and character – a touch of balsamic, some herbal notes, and rhubarb. Tangy raspberry acidity and good length. There’s freshness and tension, without the powerful tannins that can dominate the 2022s. Good energy here, with raspberry to finish. Aged for 18 months in Stockinger foudres and terracotta amphorae. The wine is unfined and unfiltered. Drink 2025-2031.”