Deeply colored, the 2016 Gigondas La Louisiane comes from single vineyard on the lower plain, not far from the estate, and is 80% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, and the balance Syrah and Cinsault. It offers a classic bouquet of dark berry fruits, peppery herbs, garrigue, and obvious minerality. Reminding me of the 2010 with its pure, straight style, it’s full-bodied and elegant on the palate, and is going to benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age.

Dark, deep, peppery and full-bodied, the wine is loaded with ripe, spicy berries, minerality and peppery spice. This is quite mouth-filling, with an intense, long finish. Produced from blending 80% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, 3% Cinsault and 2% Syrah, give this 2-3 years in the cellar before pulling a cork. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=2016&wine=Domaine%20Saint-Damien%20Gigondas%20La%20Louisiane

Located on the terraced hillsides of Gigondas, the vineyard site La Louisiane boasts Grenache vines that are nearly 80 years old. This is a powerful, intoxicating wine meshing rich black cherry and berry flavors against a sheen of crushed-stone minerality. It's voluminous but not dense, finishing on chalky, gripping tannins. Beautiful already but should improve through 2028, hold a few years further. ANNA LEE C. IIJIMA

The 2016 Gigondas La Louisiane is looking a bit more structured and tannic than it did last year. It's full-bodied, rich and creamy across the mid-palate, then firms up adding hints of licorice and chocolate along the way. It does have the ripe stone fruit and berry notes to sustain it over time, so give it a couple of years (maybe even four or five) to relax and unwind that tightness on the finish. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. - Joe Czerwinski