
Today, we have a rare find from Gigondas from Domaine la Bouissiere. The 2020 Gigondas La Font de Tonin is a standout wine from this family-run estate, established in the 1960s by Antonin and now managed by Gilles and Thierry Faravel. La Font de Tonin is sourced from the oldest and best Grenache vines (there is 1% Mourvedre this vintage) that the Domaine has, averaging 70+ years, located at an altitude of 1,000 to 1,600 feet on limestone scree at the base of the Dentelles de Montmiral, enhancing freshness and complexity. Vinified with whole clusters and minimal new oak aging, this is a sensational example that is among some of the best of all time here. Gigondas is one of our favorites of the Southern Rhone, and because of a slightly cooler climate, these wines tend to be a bit more classic and restrained than their more southern counterparts in Chateauneuf du Pape. While this is a powerful and rich wine, it has the elegance, freshness, and purity to balance it out, creating a lovely, rather complex dynamic. This ticks all the boxes for great Gigondas, and at much lower pricing than some of the 100% Grenache bottlings that we see in Chateauneuf du Pape, it is just another reason why we love the wines of Gigondas. A rare find in the US, we have low pricing on this one today, and it is definitely one to check out for Rhone fans of all kinds!
Vinous (Josh Raynolds) 95 points! "Deep, glistening violet. Powerfully scented, expansive red/blue fruit preserves, potpourri, exotic spice and incense aromas show outstanding clarity and mineral lift. Sweet and focused on the palate, highlighting deeply concentrated, lively spice-accented boysenberry, cherry liqueur and floral pastille flavors. The floral and spice notes carry emphatically through the youthfully tannic finish, which gives superb energy and lift. Made with 100% whole clusters and raised in large oak barrels, roughly 20% of them new."
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points! "Based almost all on Grenache (there's 1% Mourvèdre), the 2020 Gigondas La Font De Tonin is also terrific, with a brilliant nose of cassis and black raspberry fruits as well as ground pepper, spicy wood, and graphite. This medium to full-bodied, focused, concentrated, incredibly impressive Grenache needs to be forgotten for 3-4 years, and it will deliver the goods over the following decade.
2020 Domaine la Bouissiere Gigondas La Font de Tonin Eta W/O 1-27-2025
2020 Domaine la Bouissiere Gigondas La Font de Tonin Eta W/O 1-27-2025
Today, we have a rare find from Gigondas from Domaine la Bouissiere. The 2020 Gigondas La Font de Tonin is a standout wine from this family-run estate, established in the 1960s by Antonin and now managed by Gilles and Thierry Faravel. La Font de Tonin is sourced from the oldest and best Grenache vines (there is 1% Mourvedre this vintage) that the Domaine has, averaging 70+ years, located at an altitude of 1,000 to 1,600 feet on limestone scree at the base of the Dentelles de Montmiral, enhancing freshness and complexity. Vinified with whole clusters and minimal new oak aging, this is a sensational example that is among some of the best of all time here. Gigondas is one of our favorites of the Southern Rhone, and because of a slightly cooler climate, these wines tend to be a bit more classic and restrained than their more southern counterparts in Chateauneuf du Pape. While this is a powerful and rich wine, it has the elegance, freshness, and purity to balance it out, creating a lovely, rather complex dynamic. This ticks all the boxes for great Gigondas, and at much lower pricing than some of the 100% Grenache bottlings that we see in Chateauneuf du Pape, it is just another reason why we love the wines of Gigondas. A rare find in the US, we have low pricing on this one today, and it is definitely one to check out for Rhone fans of all kinds!
Vinous (Josh Raynolds) 95 points! "Deep, glistening violet. Powerfully scented, expansive red/blue fruit preserves, potpourri, exotic spice and incense aromas show outstanding clarity and mineral lift. Sweet and focused on the palate, highlighting deeply concentrated, lively spice-accented boysenberry, cherry liqueur and floral pastille flavors. The floral and spice notes carry emphatically through the youthfully tannic finish, which gives superb energy and lift. Made with 100% whole clusters and raised in large oak barrels, roughly 20% of them new."
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points! "Based almost all on Grenache (there's 1% Mourvèdre), the 2020 Gigondas La Font De Tonin is also terrific, with a brilliant nose of cassis and black raspberry fruits as well as ground pepper, spicy wood, and graphite. This medium to full-bodied, focused, concentrated, incredibly impressive Grenache needs to be forgotten for 3-4 years, and it will deliver the goods over the following decade.