Domaine Santa Duc - Les Quatre Terres 2019

Benjamin Gras is following in the footsteps of his father, Yves, and, with the same talent, is crafting a range of deep and elegant single-vineyard wines, in which the purity of the fruit reflects a true obsession. A refined style, in which the wines sacrifice a bit of richness and concentration in favor of a very pure delicacy. In both Gigondas and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the wines have a distinctive style that will leave no one indifferent.

Vibrant notes of small berries characterize the nose of the 2019 Côtes du Rhône Les Quatre Terres, a blend of Grenache and Syrah from four villages. It is medium-bodied to full-bodied, offering great concentration and a beautiful balance between ripeness and acidity, finishing with silky yet distinctive tannins. Let it age for another year, then enjoy it over the next five years.

Yves Gras took the reins of this iconic Gigondas estate in 1985. He established a full-bodied, rich style—one that was nonetheless refined—and the estate immediately gained international recognition. Several projects enhanced the estate: the restoration of Clos Derrière Vieille in 1994; and the acquisition of prime terroirs in Châteauneuf-du-Pape in 2009: Saintes Pierres, La Crau Ouest, Le Pied de Baud, Les Pradel, and La Font du Pape. In 2017, the arrival of Benjamin, the son, brought new energy and a shift in style. The wines still display the same character and power, but now possess more nuanced textures. They offer a palate with a well-rounded power and more graceful tactile sensations. The oak influences are also better integrated. The estate practices biodynamic viticulture; winemaking is carried out using indigenous yeasts; whole-cluster fermentation is used in some cases; and the wines are not filtered before bottling. The uniqueness of each cuvée led us to award the estate its first star upon its inclusion in the guide.