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

Starting with the 2011s (all of which had yet to be bottled), the 2011 Gigondas Chapelle St. Arnoux is impressive. Made from 65% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre, aged all in concrete, it offers up classic black cherry, licorice, spice-box and dried tobacco in a medium-bodied, fresh, sweetly fruited and focused style. Showing fine, ripe tannin and an overall elegant profile, it should evolve gracefully for 5-6 years or more. 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