Aromas of peony, pepper, violet and dark wild berries preface the 2018 Gigondas le Claux, a full-bodied, dense and tannic wine with velvety tannins, a multidimensional core of fruit, fleshy texture and a long, spicy and delicately peppery finish that exhales the controlled power. It has all the components in place for a long and lovely life in a bottle. Kudos!

Glistening ruby color. There are powerful, spice- and mineral-accented aromas of red fruit preserves, cherry-cola, succulent flowers and exotic spices on the highly perfumed nose. Palate-coating Chambord, kirsch, candied lavender and star anise flavors deepen steadily as the wine gains air. It manages to be both powerful and lithe, showing serious intensity and fine detail on a strikingly long, youthfully tannic and mineral-laced finish. Aged in 20% new oak.