Turning to the Racines 2020, the nose is just as dark, slightly austere and closed at present, but the second sniff yields an appealing presence: darkness blended with spices, notably cumin and clove. On the palate, liquorice sticks and raspberry are dominant among aromas that are nicely arranged around a big core of elegant, harmonious finesse, where one of the key strands is vegetal. It's amazing to want to talk about finesse given that the tannic frame is almost criminally stiff; the just-started year of barrel ageing will be more than welcome. It's terrifically long on the finish, you sense the extract after spitting out. It's steady, fresh, structured. Early days, but already a tangible character.

At Domaine Les Pallières, the 2020 vintage holds the sorry record for our lowest-ever yield at this estate. We dare not quantify it exactly, but we have certainly dipped below 15 hl / ha. Old vines, drought, shatter, depleted soils – a potent cocktail of negatives. And yet, we can safely say that this is one of the top three vintages crafted here since 1998.

Since 1998, Frédéric and Daniel Brunier and Kermit Lynch have been tending to the destiny of Domaine Les Pallières, one of Gigondas's oldest estates. "Les Racines" is a parcel selection of the oldest vines (60 years or more) around the main house and the ageing cellars, in the lieu-dit Les Pallières. The Les Pallières domaine consists of a single 334-acre estate comprising 62 acres of vineyards and
272 acres of pine and oak. Grapes from about 60% of the plantings are blended in Les Racines.

"A very deep, dark and dense Gigondas that nonetheless has great balance and finesse. Great dried Mediterranean herb complexity, but also stacks of licorice. Then comes wonderful freshness at the powerful and velvety finish. 90% grenache, 5% mourvedre and 5% clairette. Drinkable now, but best from 2025."
95 points.
Stuart Pigott, jamessuckling.com (May 2023)

"The 2020 Gigondas Les Racines offers a touch more opulence and breadth, with black cherry fruits as well as truffle, peppery herbs, and tapenade notes. Medium to full-bodied, textured, and also nicely structured, both of the 2020 Gigondas here are going to benefit from bottle age."
91-93 points.
Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com (April 2024)