We`d banged on the cellar door only ten minutes late for our appointment but whether it was the howling mistral so he couldn`t hear us, or he just wasn`t there, we didn`t know. Disappointed, we left for our next appointment, back down the hill at Saint Cosme - only for Thierry to call. Precise and calculated in all he does, it seems, he doesn`t appear to share the Provencal aptitude for tardiness. When we returned, he didn`t seem to resent us for it- as last year, he took us meticulously through the intricacies of the vintage - careful not to omit the slightest detail. This approach is evident in the wines- fine, focussed and full of finesse, we`ve never had any other Gigondas like it. Since I wrote those words the Faraval brothers have both gone from strength to strength in terms of wine quality and become an almost indispensible fixture on our shelves - their wines continue to intrigue and yet be utterly reliable. (CW 21/04/2016)