'Gigondas' means gigantic! It also neatly sums up the wines from this picturesque village situated to the east of Orange in the Vaucluse region of the Rhone Valley. The vines surrounding the village are protected by the short but steep rocky ridges of the Dentelles de Montmirail mountain range. This in turn ensures that the grapes achieve maximum maturity. Clos du Joncuas is run by Ferdinand Chastan and his son Dany. There are 29 hectares in total of mainly old vines and the estate is run strictly along organic lines having achieved organic status in 1989. This full-bodied red is 80% Grenache, 12% Mourvedre with a splash of Cinsault. Aged for 12 months in oak barrels, the wine is bottled without fining or filtering.

A deep violet in colour. A ripe, fleshy nose of red berries and pepper. Full-bodied on the palate with a supple texture and delicious red fruit flavours. This is a balanced wine with an attractive peppery finish. It can be cellared for 3 to 4 more years, and will go well with robust meat dishes and strong cheese such as boeuf en daube, lamb and artichoke stew or a Saint Marcellin cow's milk cheese.