Perhaps its the chteaus location near St-Emilion that makes this claret so special. Or the know-how of the owner Bruno Dellac. Or the quality of this ripe vintage. Whats beyond doubt is the wines earthy richness and appealing ripe fruit. Chteau Gigault was recently acquired by four like-minded quality enthusiasts, and now releases two wines a traditionally made claret and this, their no-expense-spared Cuve Viva. One of the four owners is Stphane Derenoncourt, who also makes wine at some of Saint-Emilions smartest addresses (La Mondotte, Canon La Gaffelire and Pavie Macquin). One of Americas leading critics Robert Parker always scores the wine highly, describing it as consistently one of my picks as an overachieving wine. Critic James Suckling called the wine “very appealing” and “very satisfying”. Hand-picked, low-yield Merlot aged in new oak, this is a deeply flavoured, well-structured, voluptuous, modern-style claret, velvety, too. A top pick with roast lamb.