In 2012, Benjamin Tourbillon acquired old vine vineyards in Gigondas and Chateauneuf-du-Pape and launched Domaine Tourbillon. The winery lies in the heart of the Plan de Dieu appellation in the village of Violes. Along with his holdings in Plan de Dieu and Chateauneuf du Pape, Benjamin has about 4 hectares of Gigondas planted primarily to Grenache, with bits of Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault also in the mix. The VV Gigondas is about 90% Grenache from vines planted in the 1960s and the concentration shows. Aged in a mix of concrete tanks and used barriques and demi-muids, it has a deeper red color with inviting black fruit aromas and peppery spice.

77% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 3% Cinsault

The 2015 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes is more structured and classic than the 2016, offering lots of peppery herbs, cedar, framboise and black cherry aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated and with plenty of underlying tannins, give bottles 2-3 years of bottle age and enjoy through 2027.