Producer
Ch. de Saint Cosme

Region
Southern Rhône, France

Encepagement
50% Syrah
30% Grenache
10% Carignan
10% Clairette

Elevage
Grapes were sourced from slopes of Cairanne and Rasteau. The Syrah was fermented with the Clairette, the Grenache was fermented with the Carignan. Maturation 2/3 in vat, 1/3 in 4 year old barrels. Not destemmed, 50 day maceration
Bottled without fining or filtering.

Description
2002 was a difficult year in the Southern Rhône with a tremendous amount of rain before harvest. But the slopes of Cairanne and Rasteau with southern exposures, good drainage and early ripening were less negatively affected (except for Mourvedre which was not included this year) than other areas which were washed out and affected by rot. Louis feels that the 2002 is as good as the lovely 2001.

The name "Les Deux Albions" is a play on words. Louis' father comes from the Plateau D'Albions and his wife is English. Albion is a traditional name for England. Hence, "Les Deux Albions"!

Reviews for 2002 Vintage
From the The Wine Advocate, Issue 151 (Feb 2004): "Points: 87. The 2002 Cotes du Rhone Les Deux Albions (primarily Syrah with Grenache, Carignan, and a touch of the white grape, Clairette) is a pretty, fruity effort without the depth of the brilliant 2001. Nevertheless, it is a successful effort for the vintage." © The Wine Advocate

Reviews for 2003 Vintage
From the Wine Advocate, #156 (Dec 2004): "Points: 90. Another consistently brilliant effort from Louis Barruol is the Cotes du Rhone Les Deux Albions. Like its predecessors, the 2003 represents the poor person's Cote Rotie La Mouline. A blend of 40% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, 10% Carignan, and 10% Clairette (a white grape), it offers an exotic, floral, tropical fruit, black currant, and cherry-scented bouquet. This hedonistic, beautifully-textured, medium-bodied red is loaded with fruit, glycerin, and the warmth of generous alcohol (a character of the vintage). It should be consumed over the next 2-3 years." © The Wine Advocate