Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux 2014

“One of the wines of the vintage from Gigondas, and I think the most complete of the three single vineyard releases from Saint Cosme, the 2014 Gigondas le Claux sports a medium ruby, semi-transparent color to go with a Pinot Noir-like bouquet of camphor, sweet cherries, dried flowers, forest floor and lots of minerality. Rich, medium to full-bodied, layered and with a terrific mid-palate and core of fruit, it won't be the longest-lived example of this cuvee, yet my money's on it drinking beautifully for at least another 8-10 years.” 94/100 (RP)

Vinous (Josh Raynolds): “(one-third new oak) Saturated ruby. A complex, expansive bouquet evokes ripe red and blue fruits, sandalwood, succulent herbs and potpourri. Sweet, seamless and penetrating in the mouth, offering energetic black raspberry, boysenberry and vanilla flavors that are sharpened by an energizing mineral quality and a white pepper flourish. Finishes impressively long and spicy, sneaky tannins lend shape and youthful grip. This wine sure doesn't come off as one from a tough vintage.” 93/100 (Vinous)

Pure old Grenache on a limestone-marl terroir. These grapes are fermented with the stalks (vendange entière) and the wine is then aged for 12 months in oak barrels, 20% new and bottled without any filtering. Along with Le Poste and Hominis Fides, this is among the best Grenache and Southern Rhone has to offer. Of Saint Cosme's three parcellaires, Le Claux is usually our favourite and apparently Louis Barruol comes to the same conclusion.