Though Domaine du Terme is really a Gigondas house (and one of our best sellers), they also have a small parcel in Vacqueyras. An 80/20 Grenache/Syrah blend and no oak means this wine really displays the quality of the grapes and the nature of the vintage. In this case it means big and bold! A full on, juicy, ripe wine with lots of jammy fruits. What it lacks in finesse, it makes up for in hedonistic pleasure and at this price, it is brilliant value for money. This vintage was released late 2013.

CHARACTERISTICS

Dark crimson with a violet rim, the meaty aromas of black cherries, liquorice and chocolate are backed by spicy overtones. In the mouth it has a rich, full volume, lots of jammy black fruits, ripe tannins and some spicy heat on the finish. Easy drinking, but also better balanced by food, it should be drunk in the next 2-3 years.

THE WINERY

The overall owner happens to be the Major of Gigondas (it is not a big place!), but it is his oenologist trained daughter, Anne-Marie, that has taken over the running of the vineyard and cellar and is really making things happen. The estate has just 11 Ha in Gigondas as well as vines in Sablet and Vacqueyras, but Gigondas is where the heart is and the cellar. There are lots of traditional values here and this small estate has a very loyal local following (80% of their production is sold locally through their shop in the village), but more care in the vinification and hard work in the vineyard is really raising the quality bar. We think that this is an estate to really watch over the next few years as it puts itself at the top of AOC Gigondas pecking order, but still at a fabulous price!