Guigal, Gigondas (Rhône Valley, France) 2019 ($38, Vintus)

This Gigondas shows Guigal’s talents for finding suppliers and creating a stellar wine. Unlike Côte Rôtie and Hermitage, Guigal owns no vineyards in Gigondas, so the house buys wine from local growers and blends them. A typical southern Mediterranean blend of Grenache (70%), Syrah (20%) and Mourvèdre, this mid-weight Gigondas brings together a seamless balance of dark fruit, spice, and minerals. Its suave texture makes it ideal to drink now with hearty winter fare.
93 Michael Apstein