Domaine Les Pallieres - Gigondas Terrasse du Diable 2018 (750ml)

93-95 Points - "The 2018 Gigondas Terrasse du Diable comes from yields that ended up being approximately half of the average for the estate (only 11 hectoliters per hectare). It's full-bodied, with a rich yet silky texture, ripe flavors of cherries and raspberries and a long finish that hints at clove and licorice. The exact blend for the domaine's wines was yet to be finalized when I tasted this sample, but historically, this cuvée is about 85% Grenache and 15% Mourvèdre. Owned by the Brunier family (or Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe and American importer Kermit Lynch), Domaine Les Pallières bottles two cuvées of Gigondas each year. Terrasse du Diable comes from the higher-altitude, cooler parcels, while Les Racines originates from the plateau around the winery itself and includes the property's oldest vines. Of the two, the Diable is usually the more powerful wine, yet it never seems to lack elegance. There's also an interesting barrel-fermented rosé, produced as a Vin de France."