Robert Parker 91-93 Points: "More concentrated and tannic than the 2016, the 2017 Gigondas shows outstanding potential. Marked by hints of charred wood and mocha, it's nevertheless rich, ripe and fruity, with a long finish.
Proprietor Louis Barruol continues to turn out some of the most exciting wines in his home appellation of Gigondas while expanding his négociant activities. For those who didn't know, he also has a joint venture to produce Riesling and Pinot Noir in New York's Finger Lakes. He's bullish on the Southern Rhône 2016s. As he said to me, "Maybe it is as good as 2010." He's tinkered with the Gigondas lineup, eliminating the Valbelle bottling and blending it with his Gigondas. The other bottlings are all single-parcel, 100% Grenache wines from le Claux, Hominis Fides and le Poste. Barruol is a champion of Gigondas's move to add white wine to the appellation. I reviewed his 2016 Côtes du Rhône le Poste last year, a barrel-fermented Clairette, and it has opened up a bit since then, making a more convincing case. Reviews of the Northern Rhône bottlings will be included at a later date."
