2012 Domaine Santa Duc Cotes du Rhone VV 750 ml

White Crags and Old Vines in Gigondas

For five generations, the family of Yves Gras has faithfully tended Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre on the high plateau near the ancient Roman village of Gigondas. Towering above all are the Dentelles de Montmirail, craggy limestone peaks that give the soils — and the wines — a striking minerality.

Along with his sons Edmond and Benjamin, Yves Gras has seamlessly blended over 100 years of family winemaking tradition with the best of modernity. The winery facility is super sleek, made from precision-cut stone, glass, and metal, but the design itself alludes to a medieval castle, turret and all. In the cellar, Yves uses only indigenous yeasts, preferring a hands-off approach to allow the terroir to shine through.

In the last 10 years, Santa Duc has added new holdings in the famed La Crau Vineyard in Châteauneuf, but today’s 2012 Côtes du Rhône is pure old-vine eloquence. The Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre vines planted on a mixture of marl and red clay soils average 50 years in age, and provide the amazing depth and concentration to the wine.

The 2012 Domaine Santa Duc is deep ruby in color with striking aromas of red and dark berries, wild herbs and incense. The palate has saturating black raspberry and cassis flavors and smoky minerals as a counterpoint. A seamless wine with a fantastic balance of depth, power and elegance. Drink now to 2025.

Robert Parker was clear about his preference for Santa Duc, calling it “number one for quality,” and “a long-time benchmark for superb Gigondas.” All the evidence you’d need to understand Parker’s perspective is the 2012 Vieille Vignes. For this kind of elegant, focused, and polished Côtes du Rhône, we wouldn’t bat an eye at a $30 bottle. But 50-year-old vine Grenache for $15.99 — the best price in the USA? Only on WineAccess. Don’t sleep on this one; 50 cases won’t last long.