(93-95+ points) The flagship cuvée, which comes from older vines on the lower plateau around the estate, the 2017 Gigondas Hautes Garrigues has a big chunk of Mourvèdre in 2017 (60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre brought up in tank). Possessing beautiful black fruits, spice, licorice, and hints of meatiness, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, stunning purity of fruit, and fine yet present tannins. It’s going to need bottle age but is a promising Gigondas. It’s easily my favorite in the lineup.

Comprising of the estate's oldest vines—a mix of Grenache and Mourvèdre from the le plateau in front of the village—the 2017 Gigondas Les Hautes Garrigues features subtle hints of smoke and crushed stone on the nose alongside scents of dark plums and black cherries. It's firm and full-bodied, with the ripe tannins and concentrated fruit to support over a decade of aging, plus a long, intense finish that adds hints of star anise and cracked pepper. - Joe Czerwinski