Crous Saint Martin ‘Les Espalier’ Gigondas 2019

92 Points, Jeb Dunnuck

The 2019 Gigondas Les Espaliers is every bit as good as its ever been. The 2019 vintage delivered so much power and depth. 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre – the classic Rhône blend. Jeb Dunnuck tasted it and called it “an outstanding wine, with beautiful, ripe red and black fruits intermixed with plenty of peppery herbs, cedary spice, and mineral-like aromas and flavors.”

Gigondas is known for exceptional quality at prices that make sense unlike some of their relatives in Chateaneuf-du-Pape. But if I do have a gripe, it’s that most of the wines at this price point are fairly straightforward and simple. That’s not! This Big Red shows remarkable precision and elegance – silky smooth with the purest red and black fruits, and perfect balance between power and finesse. It’s the kind of wine you’d expect to cost a whole lot more. This one rocks a serious Southern Rhône personality at a fantastic price point relative to their competition.