Moving to the Gigondas releases, the 2012 Chapelle St. Arnoux is a beauty! Comprised of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah that was aged all in concrete, it dishes out loads of sweet blackcurrant, underbrush, ground herbs and pepper on the nose. Medium-bodied, fresh and nicely balanced, with great acidity, it should improve with a year or two in bottle and have a decade of longevity. It’s a serious value!
This large estate produces a bevy of rich, fruit-forward efforts that remain more than reasonably priced. Looking at the 2011s, this is a solid vintage here and the wines make the most of the vintage, with upfront fruit and texture.
Importer: Grape Expectations, Raleigh, NC; tel. (919) 781-1655