“This magnificent 2016 vintage displays beautiful finesse and ripe berries, with aromas of licorice, tobacco, and precious woods on the nose. The palate is slightly animal-like and lively, brimming with energy, and the finish—with notes of leather—is pleasant and lingering.” (Le Guide des Vins Bettane & Desseauve) The estate’s historic plots!
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Eye
Deep purple
Nose
Powerful and spicy, with notes of ripe red and black berries, licorice, and tobacco
Palate
Characterized by full-bodied tannins, spices, pleasant freshness, a licorice-tinged finish with hints of tobacco and leather
Serve
At 16-18°C
Open
To be decanted
Drink before
2030
Food and Wine Pairings
Pairs well with slow-cooked dishes in sauce, wild boar stew, venison, hare stew...
Bettane & Desseauve
Wine rated 16.5/20 (Benchmark wine)
Rated estate (2025 guide): 3*Stars (High-quality production that serves as a benchmark in its sector)
About the wine:
This magnificent 2016 vintage displays beautiful finesse and ripe berries, with aromas of licorice, tobacco, and precious woods on the nose. The palate is slightly animal-like and lively, brimming with energy, and the finish—with notes of leather—is pleasant and lingering.
About the estate:
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.
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate
Wine rated (2018 guide) 95-97/100 (Extraordinary wine)
Rated Estate (2024 Guide) Recommended (Wine producer recommended by Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate)
About the wine:
Aromas of flowering garrigue, black cherries, and licorice abound in this 2016 Gigondas Les Hautes Garrigues. Full-bodied, rich, velvety, and intense without being overpowering, it is a superb wine with the balance, grace, and charm of the ballet-dancing hippopotamus from Disney’s *Fantasia*. And the finish is long—really long.
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Rated Estate (2025 Guide) 1*Star (Up-and-coming stars or high-quality winemakers producing wines of a high standard—you won’t be disappointed when you taste the wines from these estates)
About the estate:
Yves Gras took the reins of this iconic Gigondas estate in 1985. He established a full-bodied, rich style that was nonetheless refined, and international recognition followed immediately. 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 a new dynamic 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.
Jancis Robinson
Wine rated 17+/20
Vinous
Rated Estate (2024 Guide) Recommended
Jeb Dunnuck
Wine rated 95+/100
Rated Estate (2024 Guide) Recommended
Customer Rating
4.3/5
based on 6 reviews
Review by Mr. JACQUES R. Published on April 24, 2020
Right from the first sip, you know something special is about to happen! What follows is a feast for the senses—a display of power, aromas, and the winemaker’s craftsmanship. Truly superb—at the very top of the Gigondas range.
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Review by Mr. PENG W. Published on July 6, 2024
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Review by Mr. MARTIN G. Published on April 2, 2021
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Review by Mr. CHRISTIAN M. Posted on 10/10/2020
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Review by Mr. PIERRE-THOMAS G. Published on July 10, 2020
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Review by Mr. FABIEN F. Published on May 13, 2020
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