Saint-Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes 2021

93-95 points Josh Raynolds (Vinous): “Vivid ruby. A highly fragrant bouquet evokes candied red fruits, smoky minerals and lavender; a spicy nuance builds as the wine opens up. Sappy and penetrating on the palate, juicy raspberry, cherry and floral pastille flavors show good heft, seamless texture and real energy. It finishes spicy and impressively long, with sneaky tannins adding a final grip. This is shaping up to be a highly impressive entry-level bottling, which is not surprising given that this is the only Gigondas that will be bottled this year, so all the juice from the Louisiane and Souteyrades is going into this wine. Get it, lots of it, if you can. Raised in neutral, 50 hectoliter oak (Jan 2023)"

91 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The only cuvée released in 2021, the 2021 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes is a beautiful, elegant red displaying the charming, supple, layered style of the vintage. Offering notes of Provençal herbs, pepper, and spicy red and black fruits, it's medium-bodied, has ripe, integrated tannins, and a great finish. It's going to drink brilliantly over the coming 7-8 years or so. (10/30/23)"