Saint Cosme is the reference point in Gigondas. Roman-era vats carved into the limestone under the château, the Barruol family working the place for generations, and biodynamic farming on 60-year-old vines. The 2022 is all blackberry and fig, with licorice, violets, and a charcoal streak on the finish, yet it stays remarkably fresh and finessed for a wine grown under that southern Rhône sun. If you want to know what Gigondas is supposed to taste like, this is the benchmark.
Tasting Notes
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. 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.
Professional Ratings
92
Wine Advocate“A prospective blend of the 2022 Gigondas looks like one of the best ever from this estate, where proprietor Louis Barruol is continually striving to improve, particularly in the vineyards. It's impressively full-bodied without being heavy, showcasing wonderfully ripe black cherry fruit, a rich, velvety mouthfeel and a lingering finish.”
92
Jeb Dunnuck“As to the 2022 Gigondas from barrel, these are all beautiful wines. The 2022 Gigondas has terrific ripeness as well as a sexy, velvety, medium to full-bodied style. Classic Gigondas spice, cedary herbs, pepper, and red and black fruit define the aromatics, and it's concentrated and balanced.”
91
Vinous“The 2022 Gigondas unfurls with blood orange, cedar, violets, raspberry and blackberry notes, with a spicy licorice twist. Coming in at 14.7% alcohol, it delights with a smooth tannic structure and fresh acidity. Forward and fleshy, the solid concentration in this 2022 red can be traced back to 40 days of skin contact. This aged for one year in a combination of used (50%) and new (20%) French oak barriques in addition to concrete tanks (30%).”
About the Producer
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.
