Domaine Brusset - Cairanne Vieilles Vignes 2024

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Laurent, André's grandson, now at the helm of the estate, produces a wide range of wines from nearly 70 plots, including terraced vineyards in the spectacular Dentelles de Montmirail. This fragmentation proves to be an advantage during the blending stages. It should be noted that the 2017 vintage was somewhat turbulent.

Decanter

About wine:

Juicy, quite full-bodied for a 2024, with ripe, succulent aromas of plum, blueberry, and blackberry, all framed by lively acidity and firm tannins. Good length and no excess alcohol—very well balanced.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

Seventy-eight south-facing terraces make up this 70-hectare vineyard located below the Dentelles de Montmirail. Created in 1947 by André Brusset, then managed by his son Daniel, it is now run by his grandson Laurent. The estate is present in five AOCs and produces a total of 14 different wines. A sure bet in Gigondas and Cairanne.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the estate:

Laurent Brusset's estate now covers 70 hectares, based in the village of Cairanne but extending to Ventoux and into the Dentelles above Gigondas. Founded by his grandfather in 1947, the winemaking here is modern but balanced, with a mix of vats, demi-muids, and barrels used, depending on the cuvée. Similarly, some wines are entirely destemmed or entirely whole cluster, with a mixture used for others. "When you have great ripeness," Brusset explained, "it's better to keep the stems." In the entry-level wines, Brusset aims for drinkability, but in the higher-level cuvées, he seeks complexity and aging potential. "Sixteen is a very beautiful vintage," Brusset said. "It has good balance, great acidity." In 2017, there is about half a degree more alcohol and lower acidity. His yields in Cairanne averaged only 20 hectoliters per hectare, the smallest he has ever seen. So he adjusted his extraction accordingly, doing no punch-downs and only very gentle pumping, to avoid extracting harsh tannins.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

A fan of powerful wines, he opted for an infused style. Located in Cairanne, the Brusset estate cultivates 70 hectares of vines across five appellations. For a long time, Laurent Brusset produced powerful wines, seeking density in winemaking through extensive extraction. Today, he works more with infusion to obtain finer wines. His conversion to organic farming two years ago required considerable labor on the hillsides he cultivates, which are difficult to mechanize. But for him, the crucial point remains the optimal ripeness of the grapes at harvest. It is therefore not surprising that we were seduced by his beautiful wines, bursting with generous fruit.

Jancis Robinson

About wine:

Seductive nose with aromas of blackberry, pepper, and crushed red fruits. Juicy on the palate with lovely freshness and firm tannins that provide good support. Lively and intense with a long finish.

James Suckling

Jeb Dunnuck

About wine:

Composed of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, aged for one year, 40% in two-year-old barrels and 60% in vats, the Cairanne Vieilles Vignes 2024 offers aromas of blackberries, peppery garrigue, spices, and roasted meats. It is medium-bodied to full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, with ripe tannins and a lovely finish. I enjoy it very much today, but it should continue to improve for another 10 to 12 years. Drink between 2026 and 2037.