Gigondas

Producer Ch. de Saint Cosme Region Southern Rhône, France Encepagement 70% Grenache 25% Syrah 5% Cinsault 14.2% alcohol Elevage 12 months aging. 40% in vat, 60% in barrels 1-4 years old. Description The three varieties were fermented together with no destemming and a 50 day maceration. The portion aged in vats (mostly Grenache) has been aged on fine lees with only 2 rackings and very low sulphur. The wines aged in barrel (old Grenache and Syrah) went through malolactic in barrel and were not racked, Very little SO2 was used and batonnage was done twice a month. The wine was bottled with no fining or filtering. The hot, dry summer kept yields very low, and the grapes ripened beautifully at the end of the season. The wine showed less concentration at the beginning, but has developed dramatically with maturation. Louis feels this is an excellent vintage that will continue to improve with bottle aging. Reviews for 2001 Vintage From the The Wine Advocate, Issue 145 (Feb 2003): "Points: 90-92. The gorgeous 2001 Gigondas (a blend of 70% Grenache, 25% Syrah, and 5% Cinsault) was aged in 60% barrel and 40% tank, and bottled with neither fining nor filtration. Its deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by a bouquet of blackberries, blueberries, minerals, and earth. Rich and full-bodied, with fine definition in addition to wonderful vibrancy and freshness, it should drink well for 10-15 years. If you have not yet tried the wines of St.-Cosme, you're missing the boat." © The Wine Advocate From the International Wine Cellar (Jan/Feb 2003): "Points: 90-92. (a blend of 80% grenache and 20% syrah; aged in barriques, none new, and cuve) Bright red-ruby. Crystallized black cherry, clove and mace on the spicy nose (Barruol says the spiciness is a characteristic of the vintage). Intensely spicy and very suave in the mouth, with complex, superripe flavors of bitter cherry, currant, dark chocolate and black licorice. Finishes firmly tannic, spicy and long. This is 14.2% alcohol, with a pH of 3.75." © International Wine Cellar Reviews for 2002 Vintage From the The Wine Advocate, Issue 151 (Feb 2004): "Points: 87-88. The 2002 Gigondas reveals a deep ruby/purple-tinged color as well as an excellent attack, medium body, surprising depth and intensity, and a short finish. It should drink well for 5-6 years." © The Wine Advocate From the Wine Advocate, #156 (Dec 2004): "Points: 88. By the way, 2002 is a horrendous vintage in the southern Rhone. I do not say that lightly, because there are some producers who made very competent wines, but my scores for that vintage tended to plateau at 87-88. However, one of the top 2002s is the Chateau St.-Cosme 2002 Gigondas, a wine that I rated 88. Tasty and sexy with fine ripeness, it reveals no signs of dilution or greenness. The young Barruol is indeed a talented winemaker who exhibits a magical touch that is well beyond his youthful age with so many different types of wine. © The Wine Advocate Reviews for 2003 Vintage From the Wine Advocate, #156 (Dec 2004): "Points: 91-94. Even the traditional cuvee, the 2003 Gigondas, is one of the stars of the vintage. This blend of 75% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 5% Cinsault was aged in 40% tank and 60^ in old barrels. It tips the scales at 15.3% alcohol. The deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by knock-out aromas of black fruits, smoke, minerals, crushed stones, and flowers. Beautifully textured, pure, and rich, this superb Gigondas should hit its peak in 2-3 years, and drink well for 10-15." © The Wine Advocate From the International Wine Cellar (Jan/Feb 2006): "Points: 91. (a blend of 70% Grenache and 30% syrah, from 40-to-50-year-old vines): Medium ruby color. Deeply aromatic nose of spicy plum and kirsch, accented by licorice and fresh violet. The cuvaison here lasted for 50 days, and this is apparent in the wine’s concentration of flavor and power." © International Wine Cellar

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