2019 Gigondas Réserve

Julien Brechet arrived at Domaine des Bosquets in 2006. Since then, Brechet has established his family’s domaine as one of the elite producers not just of Gigondas but of the Rhône Valley. Syrah plays a significant role here, as does Mourvèdre. Both varieties are showcased as stand-alone grapes in three distinct bottlings, all of which are consistently superb. But Grenache is still the focus here. Brechet is proving to be a master craftsman of the variety, especially in recent vintages. The upcoming 2021s are shaping up to be among the top wines of the vintage for the appellation. Brechet is not afraid to experiment and works with varying shapes and sizes of oak casks and clay amphoras. These are extroverted wines that make a statement, but I never find them overbearing in any sense.