Pierre Amadieu, Gigondas (Rhône Valley, France) “Le Pas d’Aigle” 2021 ($50, Saranty)

While there hasn’t been a real quality war, most Gigondas producers I have talked with have an oak chip on their shoulders, believing that their wines are as good as those of those better-known lowlanders, the winegrowers of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. This one, a blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah, is certainly in the same competitive scrum. It is big and rich with lovely black raspberry flavors, great length and a tannin structure made for further aging.
94 Roger Morris