Gigondas Red Rhone Blend

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner which lasted a couple do hours. The 2015 pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of powerful ripe red and dark fruit: black brambles, dark cherries, black pepper, boozy Christmas fruitcake, licorice, garrigue, leather and rocky earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with sneaky medium+ tanning that build with air. The acid is there too although I wouldn’t call it the main character. It does, however, play a strong supporting roll. Definitely a wine of texture. It has been a handful of years since my last bottle of the 2015 and it’s evolving very nicely! Secondary flavors are starting to show and everything remains balanced. Extended air did get it to freshen up a bit so I’d say this still has a long life ahead. Drink now with a healthy decant and through 2035.

A couple of years in the cellar is already doing wonders for this wine; evolving from a wine with huge potential into something absolutely spectacular. This was a pop and pour situation from cellar temp (57°F) and I immediately knew we were in for something special from the first pour. The bouquet was supercharged. Black brambles, dark cherries, pepper, spiced cake, anise with nothing out of place. The palate was richly endowed with a similar fruit/spice profile. But I would be remiss if we also didn’t discuss texture because that was the difference maker here. I’ve always though Saint Cosme was amongst the most polished from the region but this takes it to a whole new level and positively masterful; leaving me left to admire the purity and freshness of the fruit. Far and away the greatest experience I’ve had with a Saint Cosme Gigondas and it’s crazy to think that 2016 could turn out to be even better. Only time will tell. Glad I have a couple more in the cellar. Wish the pricing wasn’t getting out of hand though.

medium ruby; cherry, strawberry, lavender, licorice, garrigue; muscular but with surprising freshness, 14.5 % ABV; blend of 70% Grenache, 14% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre, and 1% Cinsault; great vintage, beautiful site near Chapel of Saint Cosme, #5 of Wine Spectator’s 2017 top 100 wines; $38

This is a masterpiece.....if you have a chance to drink or buy, oh my it is divine!!!!

First glass was massive fruit but, frankly, a bit of a klutzy mess. Make no mistake, there was substance lurking in the background but it was simply overpowered by brambles. Placed the cork back in the bottle and figured I would give it a day to see if things would settle down...and did it ever. Day 2 and the brambles we’re still there but now there was an entire hillside of garrigue and, in particular, fresh sage...like...I just mowed over a sage bush. Amazing. Structure? Good heavens. The tannins seemed to build and build all the way up to the final glass. These give the indication that they’re going to be drinking very handsomely well past 2025...and I suspect beyond. I would say the best is yet to come with these.

Has warmth without being hot, ripe fruit but not jammy. Just super suave. Popped , poured and consumed over about an hour’s time so probably didn’t unlock its full potential.

Beautiful finesse - violet and blueberry, lavender and jasmine. Chalky texture with great length.

Explosive kirsch liqueur, roasted earth and savoury garrigue. Tannins not as firm as expected, but great freshness.

Modern Gigondas. But good. .

Meilleure que la dernière bue, tapenade, herbes, poivre, fruits noirs