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Wine from Saint Cosme
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Château de Saint Cosme is the leading estate of Gigondas and produces the appellation’s benchmark wines. Wine has been produced on the site of Saint Cosme since Roman times, evident by the ancient Gallo-Roman vats carved into the limestone below the château. The property has been in the hands of Louis Barruol’s family since 1490. Henri and Claude Barruol took over in 1957 and gradually moved Saint Cosme away from the bulk wine business. Henri was one of the first in the region to work organically beginning in the 1970s. Louis Barruol took over from his father in 1992, making a dramatic shift to quality, adding a négociant arm to the business in 1997, and converting to biodynamics in 2010.
Location of Vineyard
The estate is in the heart of Gigondas where 15 hectares of vineyard grow in the shade of the Dentelles de Montmirail. The limestone that distinguishes Gigondas from other southern Rhône appellations is visible on the jagged cliffs of the Dentelles. In addition to Gigondas and the old-vine selection Gigondas Valbelle, three single-vineyard Gigondas are produced: Hominis Fides, Le Claux, and Le Poste. Louis Barruol owns an additional 10 hectares of vineyard in Violès outside of Gigondas to produce Les Deux Albions Blanc IGP. Côtes-du-Rhône Les Deux Albions Rouge and Le Poste Côtes-du-Rhône Blanc round out the estate offerings and are labeled as “Château de Saint Cosme.” Little James’ Basket Press, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and northern Rhône appellations are from contracted growers and are labeled “Saint Cosme.”
Winemaking Philosophy
Louis Barruol’s style combines the region’s typical ripeness with freshness, an elusive quality in the warm climate of the southern Rhône. One of the keys to freshness is the use of stems for their red wines. The stems absorb alcohol during fermentation and help retain acidity and tannin. Red wines are made by spontaneous fermentation. Louis prefers cement tanks or mostly used 228-liter Burgundian pièce for élevage with just a few traditional demi-muid for his whites. The négociant wines are transported to Gigondas in casks to avoid racking and unnecessary exposure to oxygen. Reds are bottled unfined and unfiltered. “I want to make wines which express their terroir with purity and personality. I want balanced wines with a great ability to age,” says Louis Barruol.
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On the palate, it reveals a fresh attack followed by an ample, structured, long-lasting finish. The wine unfurls in successive stages and ends with top-quality tannins produced by whole cluster fermentation. It features aromas and flavors of smoked ham, violet, graphite, graphite, and licorice.
Review:
A refined, fine-textured and precise Cote-Rotie with aromas of cherries, wild berries, wild herbs, bark and baking spices. Medium-bodied with finely grained tannins. There is a vibrant and spicy character at the center, with a succulent, precise and lively expression toward the long finish. Try after 2026.
-James Suckling 95 Points
On the palate, it reveals a fresh attack followed by an ample, structured, long-lasting finish. The wine unfurls in successive stages and ends with top-quality tannins produced by whole cluster fermentation. It features aromas and flavors of smoked ham, violet, graphite, graphite, and licorice.
Syrah, with its deep flavors and firm tannins, is a natural match for grilled or smoked meat and dishes featuring herbs, roasted mushrooms, and onions. Seared venison or beef with black pepper and thyme or a Moroccan tagine of pigeon or chicken are complimented by the spicy characteristic of Syrah.
Review:
This refined, graceful version is winey, offering steeped currant flecked with bacon fat, dried leaves, white pepper and mocha. Streaming and fluid in feel, with salty, mineral intensity building toward the long, elegant finish, which shows polished tannins. Though drinking beautifully now, this will benefit from time in bottle. Best from 2026 through 2038.
-Wine Spectator 94 Points
At Saint Cosme, their white wine traditions are as important and time-honored as the reds. The Clairette grape variety has found the ideal place to express itself in the cool, limestone valley of Saint Cosme. Produced by massal selection from the Le Poste vinevard, the Clairette for Hominis Fides thrives in Miocene limestone sand. Its aromas of fennel and grapefruit usher in its finely textured palate, imparting it with substantial agability.
Review:
In preparation for the imminent ability to bottle white wine under the Gigondas appellation, Louis Barruol has added another single-vineyard Clairette. The 2021 Cotes du Rhone Blanc Hominis Fides is a fine example from six-year-old vines, boasting gentle wood-spice accents to white-peach fruit and a touch of honeyed richness. It's medium to full-bodied, plump and rounded in the mouth, then finishes long and mouthwatering, with echoes of lime zest.
-Joe Czerwinski (Robert Parker) 93 Points
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas is made from 70% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, 14% Syrah, 1% Cinsaut.
The wine shows intense blackberry and fig fruit with licorice, violets, and charcoal on the finish. It is remarkably fresh and finessed given the sun and warmth of the southern Rhône. The unique micro-climate combined with 60-year-old vines and traditional winemaking make Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas the benchmark wine of the appellation.
Review:
Vivid ruby-red. Vibrant red fruit, floral and exotic spice qualities on the finely detailed and expressive nose. Shows impressive depth as well as energy to its juicy cherry, black raspberry, spicecake and lavender flavors. Closes very long and silky, with slowly emerging tannins and a strong whiplash of sappy red fruit.
-Josh Raynolds (Vinous) 94 Points
Moving to the Gigondas, the base 2020 Gigondas is a brilliant wine that will evolve for 15 years if well stored. It has lots of red and black fruits, some peppery, violet, and mineral nuances, medium to full-bodied richness, and terrific balance. It's a worthy addition to any cellar.
-Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points
Made from a blend of 60-year-old vines of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault, this is a graceful expression of what cooler microclimates in Gigondas can deliver. The wine is enjoyable in its youth, with notes of blackberries, plums, wild rosemary, violets, green peppercorn, and sandalwood. However, cellaring this elegant wine another year or two will be rewarding.
-Wine Enthusiast 92 Points
Hominis Fides is typically the most elegant of Château de Saint Cosme’s three single-vineyard Gigondas. “Grenache grown in the sandy soil produces marvelously textured wines as well as extremely refined tannins; a very special and stylish wine,” says Louis Barruol. The wine features aromas and flavors of pepper, truffle, graphite, and smoke.
Grenache is the pale-colored, red-fruited, and potpourri-scented red grape variety of the southern Rhône and can be paired with both rustic and sophisticated dishes. Full-bodied Grenache-based wines are ideal with stews, braises, and grilled meats, while lighter versions can work well with dark fish and tomato-based dishes such as ratatouille.
Review:
Deep, vivid ruby-red. Intensely perfumed, mineral-tinged scents of medicinal cherry, redcurrant and cassis are complemented by suggestions of star anise, white pepper and pungent flowers. It offers densely packed bitter cherry, red berry liqueur, lavender and licorice flavors that open up very slowly with air. Extremely primary but highly promising, with a long, spice- and mineral-tinged finish shaped by youthfully firming tannins. Made with 100% whole clusters; raised in barriques, one-third of them new.
-Josh Raynolds (Vinous) 97 Points
Despite the vintage's challenges, the 2021 Gigondas Hominis Fides is a remarkable wine in the making. Evoking aromas of dark cherries, crushed strawberries, violet, spices and lead pencil mingled with delicate stemmy notes, it's full-bodied, dense and concentrated, with velvety tannins framed by bright acids and a long, structured and layered texture that concludes into a long, ethereal finish. While reasonably approachable now, this wine will benefit from being tucked away for at least 5-10 years to reach its full potential.
-Yohan Castaing (Robert Parker) 95 Points
A fragrant rosewater, red cherry, raspberry, strawberry and black plum perfume introduces the 2021 Gigondas Hominis Fides. Delicate wood smoke and clove aromas add complexity. This full-bodied 2021 is a bold Gigondas, displaying remarkable intensity on the concentrated palate. It comes with an elevated but neatly integrated 15.5% alcohol, lingering with remarkable length on the stimulating finish. Patience will be rewarded.
-Nicolas Greinacher (Vinous) 94 Points
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux is made from 95% Grenache, 5% Syrah.
Château de Saint Cosme is the leading estate of Gigondas and produces the benchmark wines of the appellation. The property has been in the hands of the Barruol family since 1490. Louis Barruol took over from his father in 1992 making a dramatic shift to quality and converting to biodynamics in 2010.
Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux is the estate’s oldest vineyard and sits near the entrance to the winery. “It was first planted in 1870 following phylloxera. My uncles thought it wasn’t producing enough fruit and planned to uproot it in 1914,” says Louis Barruol, but “World War I interrupted that plan.”
The 1.8-hectare Le Claux—meaning “Clos” in old French—is a field blend of predominately Grenache. Louis Barruol believes 10% of the vineyard is from the original 1870 planting. Vines are replaced by massal selection and the average vine age is 60-years. The wine is made with whole cluster fermentation from indigenous yeasts, is aged in 20% new 228-liter barrels, and bottled without fining or filtration.
Tasting Notes
Brilliant violet color. Displays pungent, mineral- and spice-accented cherry, black raspberry, potpourri and licorice aromas, along with hints of savory herbs, vanillo and incense. Chewy and tightly focused on the palate, offering bitter cherry, dark berry and Moroccan spice flavors that unfurl slowly through the back half. It closes with firm tension, chewy tannins and excellent tenacity, leaving resonating cherry and floral notes behind. All barriques, a third of them new.
-Vinous 95-97 Points
Review:
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-Josh Raynolds (Vinous) 97 Points
Entirely crafted from Grenache Noir, some of which was planted in 1880, the 2021 Gigondas le Claux from Chateau de Saint Cosme reveals a delicate, perfumed bouquet of violet, licorice, dark berries and smoke. Medium to full-bodied, layered and rich in texture, it's framed by bright acids and a tense texture that segues into an ethereal, long and delicately peppery finish. In the context of the vintage, this is a great effort.
-Yohan Castaing (Robert Parker) 95 Points
The 2021 Gigondas Le Claux is at eye level with the Hominis Fides from the same vintage. Powerful and refined, it bursts with intense ripe red fruits, followed by hints of blueberry and traces of cloves, cedar and licorice. This outstanding 2021 red is built around a massive tannic structure. Hence, don’t even think about opening a bottle before 2030, as it would be a terrible waste of what eventually will merge into a substantial Gigondas of pedigree and class.
-Nicolas Greinacher (Vinous) 94 Points
The 2021 Gigondas Le Claux is elegant and refined, with medium-bodied richness and depth as well as ultra-fine tannins. It has an almost Pinot Noir-like quality in its ripe red fruits, spring flowers, camphor, and forest floor aromatics, and it has good concentration as well as length on the finish. As always, this single vineyard release is all Grenache that wasn't destemmed and was brought up in demi-muids. Unquestionably one of the top estates in the Southern Rhône (not just Gigondas), Château de Saint Cosme is run by the incredibly talented and driven Louis Barruol. There are a number of smaller cuvées, all of which are impeccably made, but clearly, the focus is on the Gigondas releases, which are not destemmed and are brought up in larger barrels. The Classic Gigondas is always roughly 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and the rest Mourvèdre and Cinsault, and the three single vineyards are all 100% Grenache. Readers can expect to see the current Côtes Du Rhône whites (Hominis Fides Blanc and Le Poste Blanc) released under the Gigondas appellation starting in 2023.
-Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
Le Poste’s cool microclimate and limestone soil make it one of Saint Cosme’s most structured, aromatic, and mineral intense wines of the estate. This wine always walks a knife's edge of power and finesse thanks to its deep fruit and precise structure. The wine features aromas and flavors of iodine, violet, pepper, and ash.
Grenache is the pale-colored, red-fruited, and potpourri-scented red grape variety of the southern Rhône and can be paired with both rustic and sophisticated dishes. Full-bodied Grenache-based wines are ideal with stews, braises, and grilled meats, while lighter versions can work well with dark fish and tomato-based dishes such as ratatouille.
Review:
Deep magenta. Expansive, spice- and mineral-tinged black raspberry, kirsch and boysenberry aromas are complicated by suggestions of incense, lavender and smoky minerals. Alluringly sweet and focused in the mouth, offering densely packed red and blue fruit preserve, floral pastille and exotic spice flavors that smoothly balance weight and finesse. This wine shows superb finishing clarity and mineral lift on the penetrating and impressively long finish, which features polished tannins and resonating fruit, floral and mineral notes.
-Josh Raynolds (Vinous) 97 Points
Louis Barruol's 2021 Gigondas le Poste displays a deep, complex bouquet of rose, violet, licorice, spices and garrigue mingled with delicate notes of dark wild berries. Full-bodied, sappy and concentrated, it's perfectly balanced and has a layered texture, velvety tannins and a fleshy core of fruit that segues into a long, delicate finish. This is a splendid wine in the making, perfectly ripe despite an earlier maturity in this vintage.
-Yohan Castaing (Robert Parker) 96 Points
The shining star of the 2021 vintage at Château de Saint Cosme is the Gigondas Le Poste. Masterfully combining power and complexity, it neatly captures both the signature style of Louis Barruol and the personality of the 2021 vintage in Gigondas. Pronounced, intense aromas of orange blossom, rose petal, violets, redcurrant, raspberry, red plum, clove and cedar all grace this fragrant elixir. The concentrated palate accentuates the wine’s floral lift and offers a true sense of verticality. The 2021 Gigondas Le Poste is an instant classic and a strong contender for the wine of the vintage.
-Nicolas Greinacher (Vinous) 95 Points
Louis Barruol describes the microclimate of the vineyard Malleval as “very cold” which allows the grapes to retain acidity and showcase the floral aromas of the local Sérine variety. Aromas and flavors of blackberries and wild strawberries are accented by notes of peppercorns, tobacco, peonies, and violets.
Syrah, with its deep flavors and firm tannins, is a natural match for grilled or smoked meat and dishes featuring herbs, roasted mushrooms, and onions. Seared venison or beef with black pepper and thyme or a Moroccan tagine of pigeon or chicken are complimented by the spicy characteristic of Syrah.
Review:
This rich and impeccably balanced Gigondas has everything we look for in the wines of this appellation. What a wide spectrum of aromas with everything from raspberry to candied orange, plus a slew of delicate spicy notes and fresh Mediterranean herbs. I love the interplay of richness, fine tannins and lively acidity on the generous, but not expansive palate. Very long, refined finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.
-James Suckling 94 Points
Powerful, with steeped plum and cherry coulis merging with potpourri and charred garrigue on a ripe, lush palate. Packs a wall of iron that provides a ballast for the ripe fruit, while refined tannins build in intensity. Long and complex, with a gorgeous expression of place. Grenache, Mourve`dre, Syrah and Cinsault.
Wine Spectator 94 Points
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Piper-Heidsieck Rare Brut Champagne is made from 70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir.
The effervescence of Rare Millésime 2013 is tinged with an intensely bright, light golden color. The nose, at first subtle and clean, emerges in two stages combining tonicity and elegance. It all begins with the delicacy of white flowers, a hint of black tea and touches of citrus, kiwi and kumquat. Then, notes of lime blossom, green tea and fern give way to aromas of white fruits such as greengage plums. Touches of chestnut honey, sweet spices, vanilla and marzipan round off the wine's rich bouquet. The two facets of Rare Millésime 2013 are confirmed in the mouth: smooth and vibrant, indulgent and dynamic. After hints of meringue, whipped cream and marzipan, kumquat, blood orange and kiwi then provide a refreshing tonicity. On the finish, the comforting texture of Rare Millésime 2013 appears as an aromatic and smoky indulgence punctuated by a freshness and a subtle bitterness. Rare Champagne's iconic signature of tropic minerality is expressed differently in Rare Millésime 2013, extended by a plump and prolonged aftertaste.
Reviews:
Originally a part of the legendary Piper-Heidsieck Champagne house, Rare is moving their Champagne Millésime to a new brand and want it to stand alone. (Think Delamotte and Salon.) The 13th vintage for this cuvée, the 2013 Champagne Millésime is a blend is 70% Chardonnay with the rest Pinot Noir, with the majority of the blend coming from the Montagne de Reims Grand Cru and Premier Cru. A bright yellow hue, its aromatics are exquisite and well-balanced, with fresh notes of key lime, candied apple, fresh croissant dough, fresh pineapple, and honeysuckle. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the palate with a rounded and supple texture and a pillowy mousse. It’s long on the palate and has a silky personality as well as a long, pristine finish. It has fantastic balance of decadence and freshness, and I could drink this all day. It’s going to have a long drinking window. Drink 2024-2044 and beyond. Disgorged December 2022.
-Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points
Like a stallion out of the gate, this shows an initial explosion of power, in the form of mouthwatering flavors and fine texture, before quickly settling into an elegant gait. The racy acidity is seamlessly knit, buoying the lacy mousse and flavors of cassis, toasted brioche and tangerine, with accents of candied ginger, hazelnut and fleur de sel lingering on the long, creamy finish.
-Wine Spectator 97 Points
Review:
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-Audrey Frick 98 Points
Ridge's Geyserville is one of California's iconic field-blend reds, drawn from century-old vines in Sonoma's Alexander Valley. Zinfandel-led, with Carignane and Petite Sirah, it is made in Ridge's signature natural-yeast, American-oak style — vivid, spicy and built to age.
Review:
Tasted from tank just prior to bottling, the 2024 Geyserville is one of the very best Geyservilles I've ever tasted. It's weightless and elegant but supremely concentrated and packed to the gills with intense flavor. Rich blue fruit, incense, crushed rocks and deeply pitched spice tones march with gravitas from open to close. What a sensational edition of this wine.
Vinous (Billy Norris) 97 Points
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