March 19, 2023 - Tasting Ground official tasting, Rhone wine pairing (Jerar restaurant): Co-fermented 90% grenache 10% syrah, full clusters, 12 months aging, 30% new 40% 1st use, 30% 2nd use, 14.50%,
Round, sweet red fruit, fresh, smooth, floral notes, the oak offers some spices
Palate is juicy, a touch drier tannins compared to Hominis Fides, smooth, cinnamon, medium body, a touch warm, earthy, oaky, medium finish. elegant finesse, maybe a bit thin though ?
March 14, 2022 - Hearty bright red, garrigue in the nose, yet fresh (surprisingly so, given that it’s from 2005) and not too heavy. A lovely reminder that Louis Barruol is a talented winemaker!
May 31, 2021 - Last bottle. Red center, faded rim. Bright raspberry, licorice, and rosemary. Medium weight, lightly sappy. Lovely red fruit/garrigue mix with excellent acidity. I must say that for all the criticism of St. Cosme for excessive wood, this bottle showed beautifully, free of the tyranny of oak. A great relief after a faulty bottle the last go round.
May 11, 2021 - Much improved, but still showing heat and tannin. Worked well with grilled lamb. Will this be better in 5 years? I hope so and will try to wait to find out
January 13, 2021 - Deep, dark and dense without being overripe. Time to drink.
November 20, 2020 - decanted 30 min. most expressive & likely at its best, based on bottles & mags over the past 5 years; an example of balance & maturity, concentrated though noticeably from the period just before these became more extravagantly constructed. believable gigondas, absolutely perfect w/supper.
meat 'n two: crispy pork confit; smothered wakefield cabbage; blackeyed peas w/fish pepper sauce & sour cream
September 20, 2020 - Very enjoyable Gigondas. Charcoal embers, unsweetened blackberry jam, acai, and roasted green chili all evident on the nose. Deep dark red cherry in the mouth with a long, still-tannic finish. Not a ton of complexity on the palate but depth makes up for it. Doesn't veer to the sweet side and, instead, delivers an earthy package of warmed fruit. Great with roasted pork loin stuffed with capers and Fontina cheese. Drink now but will hold in this place for another few years.
August 23, 2020 - from magnum, double-decanted to travel. retains deep red-purple coloration, clear to rim; powerful aromatics - wild plums, scrabbly underbrush, charcoal, notable black pepper; med-full body; ripe black plums, wild brambly fruits, meaty & dark soil elements, peppery spice & tangible tannic underbite. richer than most bottles in the current retinue of beverages, but solid & amenable to an alfresco supper.
wood-roasted pork loin w/rosemary & garlic; creamed bi-color corn with wild mushrooms, bacon & hatch chilies; baked flageolets
August 22, 2020 - At the end of the line. Still worth drinking but don't give much air.
August 3, 2020 - clear whiff of taint on opening - wine was spoiled - not rated