n.v. Saint-Cosme, Little James’ Basket Press, Vin de France. (2013 Bottling)
Chateau de Saint-Cosme’s most playful wine is the 100% Grenache non-vintage red that is fermented and aged in vat, this bottling is from 2013 which is 50% from 2012 and 50% from a solera of mixed years, coming from mostly old vine plots in the Southern Rhone. This fun and unconventional Grenache shows both bright freshness and mature complexity, it is ripe and juicy, but still refined and balanced, this is really interesting stuff, I’m a huge fan of all the wines at Saint-Cosme and of Louis Barruol the winemaker.especially his Syrah Cotes du Rhone and his famous Gigondas. The Little James’ Basket Press is rich and persistent starting with ripe fruit, floral and spice elements on the nose with a full palate of boysenberry, plum, raspberry, and morello cherry fruits with pepper, chalky/stones, a touch of minty licorice, saline/soy sauce, dried flowers and golden raisins. The Little James’ shows lots of charm and character and while dark and lush, feels light and easy in the mouth making it very good with many cuisine options and easy to enjoy on it’s own, with air the Grenache really smooths out and opens it’s silky layers and lingers on the finish with liqueur notes, game and strawberry jelly. Best to quaff this bistro style red over the coming year, drink from 2015 to 2017, this is laughter and smiles in the bottle, but seriously pleasing juice.
($14 Est.) 91 Points, grapelive