The Wine
A red from the southern Rhne with northern finesse, Les Aubes is a blend of Grenache and Syrah. Grown on the stony terraces of Vacqueyras, a satellite region surrounding Chateauneuf du Pape, where the mistral wind stresses and shapes the vines and the stony soils pulse with energy.
The wine opens with aromas of black raspberry, garrigue (local herbs, including sage, rosemary, thyme and more), and cracked pepper, with the region’s classic undertones of smoked meat, lavender, and warm earth. On the palate, the wine is rich but not heavy, with ripe fruit framed by savory spice and mineral tension. The Syrah brings structure and depth; Grenache adds lift and generosity. Theres a subtle graphite edge that may lead the knowledgeable blind taster towards Gigondas.
In the cellar, the wine was divided, with part aged in large neutral oak foudres and the rest in concrete (tanks? eggs? not sure) to preserve freshness and terroir. Tannins are firm but polished, acidity is vibrant, and the finish is long, herbal, and stony.
The Winery
Among our staff, this wine has become known, affectionately, as “Santa Duck”. We ask for the forgiveness of Francophones and the winery alike, but it helps everyone remember this wine!
AndSanta Duc is worth remembering. One of the Rhnes quiet powerhouses in Gigondas but reaching across the southern valley with wines from multiple regions (Vacqueryras, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and more), each crafted in a house style defined by precision and purpose. Benjamin Gras, son of Yves Gras, now leads the Domaine with a focus on biodynamics, transparency, and terroir fidelity. The house is committed to Biodynamic farming, minimal intervention, and emphasizing the nuance of specific sites over a recognizable house style. They describe each cuve as a conversation between grape and ground.
These wines are structured, soulful, and mineral-driven. Santa Ducs reds are built to age but drink beautifully younglayered, savory, and always true to place.
