Notify me
2016 Gigondas
Domaine du Durban
Gigondas boasts a wide range of terroirs that give birth to a surprising diversity of styles. Durban’s vineyard on the limestone upper slopes of the Dentelles de Montmirail tends toward a high-flying, pure style. Inspired by Jim Harrison’s writing on the subject in 2002, I offer this “tasting note”: a young man that is of lean build but has a certain warmness to his face and demeanor, round, jolly cheeks, a ready smile, and a slight hint of insecurity, as if what he offered wasn’t quite good enough, which of course makes it even better. I think I just described proprietor Henri Leydier, one of the pleasantest people I could ever hope to meet.
—Dixon Brooke
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2016 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | 70% Grenache, 30% Syrah |
Appellation: | Gigondas |
Country: | France |
Region: | Southern Rhône |
Producer: | Domaine de Durban |
Winemaker: | The Leydier Family |
Vineyard: | 37 years, 6 ha |
Soil: | Clay, Limestone |
Aging: | Wine ages in large oak barrels |
Farming: | Lutte Raisonnée |
Alcohol: | 14% |
More from this Producer or Region

NV Clairette de Die Brut
France | Southern Rhône
A dry sparkler made exclusively from Clairette.

2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “La Crau” MAGNUM
France | Southern Rhône
It is important to remember the heights that old-vine Grenache can reach when planted on arid, stony plateaus in the shadows of Mount Ventoux.

2023 Beaumes-de-Venise Rouge
France | Southern Rhône
Grenache is joined by Syrah and a drop of Mourvèdre to create this delightful everyday red scented of herbes de Provence and ripe black cherry.

2009 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “La Crau”
France | Southern Rhône
Perfect for those who enjoy delicacy and finesse in their Châteauneuf.

2020 Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise HALF BOTTLE
France | Southern Rhône
Leydiers at Domaine de Durban are particularly proud of their Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise, a vin doux naturel, as they are among the last to craft it in the traditional style.

2022 Tavel “La Combe des Rieu”
France | Southern Rhône
This bears a rich bouquet of wild strawberry, flowers, garrigue, and sweet spices, culminating in a long, stony finale.

2022 Gigondas “Terrasse du Diable”
France | Southern Rhône
An abundance of violets and velvet, amid a cooling sensation of a cold spring on a hot day.

2013 Gigondas “Les Racines”
France | Southern Rhône
Les Racines has a deep core of dark berry fruits, notes of licorice, or réglisse, and a concentrated texture that conveys power with silkiness.

2023 Vacqueyras “Un Sang Blanc”
France | Southern Rhône
A relatively rare beast, Serge’s blanc is a ripe, honey-infused cornucopia of fruit.

2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Piedlong”
France | Southern Rhône
At once robust, succulent, and elegant, this red offers immediate pleasure and age-worthy promise.

About The Producer
Domaine de Durban
More from Southern Rhône or France
2023 Beaumes-de-Venise Rouge
Domaine de Durban France | Southern Rhône
2020 Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise HALF BOTTLE
Domaine de Durban France | Southern Rhône
2023 Côtes-du-Rhône “Poignée de Raisins”
Domaine Gramenon France | Southern Rhône
2023 Vacqueyras Rouge “ Doucinello”
Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux France | Southern Rhône
2022 Gigondas “Racines”
Domaine Les Pallières France | Southern Rhône
2023 Côtes-du-Rhône “Sierra du Sud”
Domaine Gramenon France | Southern Rhône
2022 Vacqueyras Rouge “Cuvée de Lopy”
Domaine le Sang des Cailloux France | Southern Rhône
2023 Côtes du Rhône Rouge
Selected by Kermit Lynch France | Southern Rhône
2023 Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge “La Rubiconde”
Maxime François Laurent France | Southern Rhône
2022 Gigondas “Terrasse du Diable”
Domaine Les Pallières France | Southern Rhône
2021 Gigondas “Terrasse du Diable” MAGNUM
Domaine Les Pallières France | Southern Rhône
2023 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc “La Crau”
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône
2023 Beaumes-de-Venise Rouge
Domaine de Durban France | Southern Rhône
2020 Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise HALF BOTTLE
Domaine de Durban France | Southern Rhône
2023 Côtes-du-Rhône “Poignée de Raisins”
Domaine Gramenon France | Southern Rhône
2023 Vacqueyras Rouge “ Doucinello”
Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux France | Southern Rhône
2022 Gigondas “Racines”
Domaine Les Pallières France | Southern Rhône
2023 Côtes-du-Rhône “Sierra du Sud”
Domaine Gramenon France | Southern Rhône
2022 Vacqueyras Rouge “Cuvée de Lopy”
Domaine le Sang des Cailloux France | Southern Rhône
2023 Côtes du Rhône Rouge
Selected by Kermit Lynch France | Southern Rhône
2023 Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge “La Rubiconde”
Maxime François Laurent France | Southern Rhône
2022 Gigondas “Terrasse du Diable”
Domaine Les Pallières France | Southern Rhône
2021 Gigondas “Terrasse du Diable” MAGNUM
Domaine Les Pallières France | Southern Rhône
2023 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc “La Crau”
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône
Kermit once said...

Kermit once said...
I want you to realize once and for all: Even the winemaker does not know what aging is going to do to a new vintage; Robert Parker does not know; I do not know. We all make educated (hopefully) guesses about what the future will bring, but guesses they are. And one of the pleasures of a wine cellar is the opportunity it provides for you to witness the evolution of your various selections. Living wines have ups and downs just as people do, periods of glory and dog days, too. If wine did not remind me of real life, I would not care about it so much.
Inspiring Thirst, page 171