2015 Chateau de Saint Cosme, Gigondas, Rhone Red, France.
Louis Barruol’s 2015 Gigondas is a gorgeous full bodied red, made up of 70% Grenache, 14% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre and 1% Cinsault and fermented whole cluster from old vines grown on yellow marl (limestone) and miocene sand and aged in a mix of oak casks and concrete tanks including 15% new French barrels and one to four time used with 35% of the blend only seeing the cement. This vintage is a thrilling and deeply compelling wine with amazingly seductive texture, dark fruit and mineral spice showing fantastic depth and detail with perfume, density, life and length highlighting the elevation and unique Tortonian soil and steep slopes under the Dentelles de Montmirail range. Beautiful violets, cassis, black raspberry, plum and strawberry fill the palate with opulent layers lifted by peppery spice, lavender oil, flinty/chalky stones, saline, black licorice, light cedar and mocha notes. Saint Cosme is one of the best wineries in the world and this Gigondas one of the great wines of the world and without a doubt one of the most savvy values in the wine world, it really is hard to imagine a better wine under $40! This plush Grenache based Gigondas is the real deal and should not be missed in any year, but this 2015 is otherworldly and a special wine that should age gracefully for another decade or more, it gains complexity with air taking on a serious edge with some earthy tones in the background, but wow is it good now, it’s a wine that screams Rhone and terroir from start to finish, I will need more of this and so will you!
($35 Est.) 94+ Points, grapelive