Brusset’s Gigondas is a testament to the low-yielding old vines that grow on small, steep terraced plots located below the great Jurassic calcareous ridge of the Dentelles de Montmirail. The terroir here is heavily influenced by the terrain, and by the soil, too, a combination of clay and rock. Owing to the steep aspect of the vineyard, the grapes are all hand-picked. The resulting wine, comprised of 70% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, and 15% Syrah, is characterized by immense depth and concentration.

“Les Hauts de Montmirail” is Brusset’s top cuvée. The winery itself is a large and important domaine with vineyards spread through the southern Rhône, primarily in Gigondas and its neighbouring villages. It was among the first estates to introduce small barrels (barriques) for aging. After an extravagant use of wood in the early days, they have brought the marriage between wood and fruit to a nearly ideal point. Hand-sorted, crushed, de-stemmed, and cold-soaked, this wine fermented in large vats and matured in French oak barriques, half of which are new. Those with less inclined toward oak could consider seeking out the winery’s Tradition “Le Grand Montmirail”.

The nose has rich, fruity, spicy and complex aromas. Round and powerful on the palate, with consistent tannins, and notes of oak with deep flavours of blackberry and chocolate. This wine will benefit from eight or more years cellaring to reach its peak.