You know that feeling when you visit a friend you haven't seen for a while and their son answers the door, but it's not the little boy you remember, but a confident, self-assured young adult. That's how it felt tasting this vintage of Gayda's Chemin de Moscou, a wine that has really come of age. It's always been good, but never as comfortable in its own skin, nor as sure of its own identity as it is now. Gone is the brooding, introverted youth and in its place appears a refined take on the classic southern blend of Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault, with glossy, silky fruit and ultra-polished tannins. Drink this deep, smooth and sensual beauty instead of your favourite Chateauneuf-du-Pape, because, we assure you, this will leaves it completely in the shade. It’s a phenomenal wine. 14% alc. Drink now-2028.

Organic (certified)

Press review:

JancisRobinson.com (tasted January 2020): “Bresaola and violets, meaty yet not heavy, scented yet not flowery, with a touch of black slate powder and black pepper on the nose. Beautiful structure! The tannins have that seemingly-cool-yet-highly-alert power, stillness and panther grace of professional bodyguards at the top of their game. Exquisitely ripe, coal-dusted dark fruit that is imbued with the warmth of the Languedoc yet restrained, elegant, satin-and-mineral lined. Long, understated, and completely delicious. A stunning wine. Good Value. (TC). Drink now-2026.” 17.5 points

Decanter: “Domaine Gayda makes some excellent wines, with this perhaps its best. A blend of 70% Syrah, 24% Grenache and 6% Cinsault, this is loaded with meaty, spicy, dark fruits and a lingering violet perfume. Aged in a mix of new barrels and old demi-muids, this spends 21 months in wood, adding finesse to the tannins. A fine wine, which shows what the IGP Pays d’Oc is capable of. Drink now-2025.” 93 points

 JancisRobinson.com (tasted June 2020): “Certified organic. 70% Syrah, 26% Grenache, 4% Cinsault. Low-yielding vines, hand-picked, hand-graded selection, destemmed. Traditional fermentation with two weeks' post-fermentation maceration. 21 months in French oak: a third of the Syrah in new burgundy barrels for nine months, Grenache and Cinsault in 500-litre demi-muids and 2,000-litre foudres for nine months; blended and then back into the same barrels for 12 months. Rich cherry and chocolate nose. Glorious stuff. The fruit sings opera – full-throated, from the depths of its soul, triumphant, full of glory. Holding every note, high and low, with absolute precision and purity. Ripe, velvety cherry and damson fruit on the palate, mocha, sweet souk spices, a touch of orange peel and a now-it’s-there-now-it-isn’t drift of old mahogany furniture that has been lovingly hand-polished a thousand times. And then this astounding freshness that fills the mouth from beginning to end. It’s so generous and open-armed that you could almost drink this without realising how complex it is, and how extraordinarily beautiful the texture is – it feels like a rose petal. (TC). Drink now-2024.” 17 points

Decanter (January 2021): “A heady mix of hedgerow fruits, bramble and summer berries following through on the palate to a juicy and really lively concoction of red cherries, jammy blackcurrants and stewed strawberries. These combine with black pepper, hints of cinnamon and soft touches of violets to create a complex and generous mix of flavours. It has a wonderfully soft texture but at the same time is brimming with so much freshness and zing. You also don't feel the 14.5% ABV at all. From old vines, certified organic. Drink now-2027.” 93 points

Customer comments:

“Had one bottle over the weekend – lovely wine, I have put the rest away for a year or so!” - Ms. E.R.