Had this single bottle sitting in the cellar for years and thought perhaps the time was right before it got too old as I’m not the biggest fan of old Rhone wines. Good decision as this wine is right in the sweet spot. Pulled the cork, no decant and just an hour or so of air. Very dark colour in a large glass with good deep aroma of dark fruit. Really singing on the palate though. Quite big, rich and meaty wine but still keeping a good level of that dark blackberry fruit. Decent lingering finish and delicious with Colston Bassett cheese. Always been a big fan of Gigondas wines that often seem to outperform other Southern Rhone / CNDP wines and this is a great example especially when bought young and left to rest for a while…
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Alluring nose and in good drinking window. Lacking fruit which leaves the palate a bit bereft but very pleasing overall. Not up to usual standards for this bottling
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Showing quite a bit of bottle development, but still expressing game, red cherry and raspberry fruit, and tobacco and leather. In the mouth, this is very tannic, verging on furry. Structured and savoury - the ripeness of the fruit is more than balanced by the dryness of the tannins. At first I wondered if this wine had peaked, but I could detect no sign of the fruit fading. This is destined to always be a tannic expression of Gigondas, and I can see this wine morphing into something very interesting in the next 3 - 5 years. 91 points for me, although if one’s tolerance for tannins are beyond mine, o could see 92…
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Decanted for 2 hours. Medium ruby-garnet in colour. Nose of smoky red raspberries, touch of black peppers, and red currants. On the palate, a tannic blackberry streak is noted along with black peppers, hints of black cherries and bits of green herbs. Medium bodied with a medium+ finish. Had the 2012 a few days ago; both are different yet have some similarities to each other.
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On first opening I was a little underwhelmed but after a couple of hours in a decanter this opened out nicely to reveal its true character and fulfil its potential. There were complex of kirsch cherries, damsons and plums backed up with soft tannins, warmth and pepper. A bit of a blockbuster yet there was still lift and freshness, developing a silky unctuous mouthfeel. From the mid-palate through to the finish further flavours sprang forth such as prunes, cocoa powder and milk chocolate. All in all in spite of the weight there was still vibrancy, brightness and almost a delicacy. Chp 91 pts
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Fantastic example of Gigondas. Big, peppery, balanced and lots of old smooth tannins. The color is getting slightly brown around the edges. It is ready now, not likely to improve.
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Nice aged nose on this Gigondas of barrel funk, brandied cherries and ripe camembert cheese (!) The tannins are underripe and drying though I fear (the vintage I guess) so I wouldn't cellar this too much longer. I always enjoy wines from this producer though.
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Much of the fruit has faded from this one but the tannins have not. It's still pretty bracing, even with a few hours in the decanter. Dominated by tertiary flavors it is not, however, unpleasant. Although not particularly elegant it still has a lot of enjoyable complexity.
This is still surprisingly tannic and bracing to the palate at first go. But with time in carafe it shed and softened. Few traces of fruit added to the abruptness of the wine but over time and with food, it grew on me. Fine structure and weight without being over the top. Not a hot vintage may explain the lack of ripeness and fruit. I will hold my last bottle a few more years to see how secondary evolution unfolds
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Tannic (fine-grained), dark chocolate, peanuts, classic Southern Rhône Grenache, warm and fragrant, really classy palate. I love e the rustic nature of this wine. This is in maturity, but the overall impression is still of a tannic mouthfeel - one which remains throughout entry, mid palate and the finish. A touch of star anise and dark chocolate/ mocha on finish.
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C: Dark, concentrated and opaque with ruby garnet rim. N: Menthol with woody notes and smoke. T: Kirsch and black cherry interlaced with truffles, tobacco and liquorice. Velvety texture underpinned with black tea and soft mouth-drying tannins. The fruit is ripe and sweet yet balanced with a marked savoury character, freshness and lift. It’s polished and silky, with a welcoming, warm and spicy mouthfeel to keep out the winter chill. In spite of its 14.5% abv, it still manages to hide any alcoholic burn, finishing strongly with good length, and displaying complexity. Summary: It may be a heavyweight but has a lightness of touch. Impressive, balanced and drinking beautifully. Now approaching it’s prime but will continue give great pleasure for at least the next 2-3 years. I loved it, and consider it a worthy rival to most Chateauneufs as it just seems to have extra lift. Score 91 pts.
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Stewed fruit, raisins, spicy, peppery finish; powerful, mighty Gigondas, but no finesse here and above all I miss acidity and freshness. The concentration surely is impressive, but this is way too massive and overdone in my opinion; the balance isn't right here; jammy and alcoholic, with massive tannins drying out the palate. Disappointing. 14/20
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Another great wine from a great producer even though not from a great vintage. Brilliant nose with good acidity. Paired well with Italian. Dark red fruit. Finish not as great as the nose
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Black tea and pencil lead shavings aroma. Black currant fruit and liquorice balance with chewy tannins to finish. Enjoyed this wine with beef casserole. Drinking well now. A fleshy wine that has elegance to match well with any meat dish.
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Drank over 4 days. Day 1 a portion was decanted - very meaty & savory with earth tones. not much fruit and felt a bit tired.
Day 2-4: Opened up far more and peaked in Day 2. More balanced and the meatiness has toned done with reveal more dark fruited elements. Would recommend a quick decant.
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Superb Gigondas - rich, warm, and ripe. Feathery tannins,, that became more pronounced as the wine opened up. Earth and peanut notes, along with a feral red-fruit personality. This is drinking very well in early to mid maturity, showing a serious nature to balance the open Grenache personality. Very sophisticated southern Rhone wine.
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Good plum color. Initial impression shows this offering garrigue, crushed black fruits, smoke, and ground black pepper, though aromatically one must strain to pick these elements up. On the palate this lacks any real substance. The acidity is subdued with integrated tannins. Presenting black pepper, scorched earth notes from the smokiness, and crushed black fruits. The finish is very clipped, and the finish that does exist leaves an impression of overripe fruits.
Having consumed several bottles of this wine over the course of four years, I find it very average. Nothing noteworthy. Obviously a top house, but far from a top Vintage here.
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Classic aromatic expression of Southern Rhone-tea leaf, garrigue, black earth, and licorice. Very herbal, masculine, but with a deep cherry core. Harmonious tannin and acidity. Notes of licorice and green tea. Lovely, and surprisingly ready to drink.
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Still totally yummy and still developing. Clear Deep Ruby, dark bramble fruits, smoke and loamy earth. Balanced and med + tannins, it stays dense in the middle and closes with a chewy, medium-length finish. If you have the patience hang on for 3 to 5 years.
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Nothing to write home about here. Very dark colour and a little jammy tasting. Quite alcoholic tasting so probably needs a bit more age but should still taste a bit better than this now.
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This is a stinker! On opening the glass fills with barnyard and iodine aromas. On the palate the tannins are a bit dry and the acidity modestly flabby. On the palate this leads with minerality and blackberries that hang back, turning somewhat sour towards the finish. The finish does not hang on very long, and the overall impression is a confused wine now.
I'm not loving the sour notes on the finish. I recall prior bottles being more vibrant and fresh. This is showing more like a Northern Rhone at this stage, and the Syrah characteristics seem predominant despite the low percentage of fruit. The typicity of smoked meats and pepper is missing.
Could be in the dumb phase.
Day 2 - The wine improved overnight where the off putting sour notes were no longer present.
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Fat and stinky, generous Grenache fruit. High alcohol but lovely thick balance. There is a clear toasted/charred note to the palate. Still primary, this outstanding wine will develop very well over the next decade.
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Weekly tasting group #212; GSM: Blend or mono cepage? (@ The factory by JdB): In the bouquet red and dark berries, still youthful and creamy, herbs and spices, minerals and some tobacco. On the palate a typical Rhone blend with dark and red berries, a lot of herbs and spices, some mocha, vanilla, some sweetness, good acidity, round tannin with a good bite and some bitterness. Overall a beautiful and concentrated, still youthful wine which is just slightly more developed compared to last year and still youthful. Keep until 2018 – 2020+.
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Love this wine. Clear Deep Ruby, this full-bodied blend of has dark bramble fruits, smoke, loamy earth and black pepper. Balanced and med + tannins, it stays dense in the middle and closes with a chewy, medium-length finish. Still developing and if you have the patience hang on for 3 to 5 years.
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Mørk, varm frukt og asiatisk krydder. Parfyrmert. Svak tone av lakris og brente kaffebønner.
God munnfølelse, men litt lett på midten. Frukten er litt tam og kommer i bakgrunnen av tanninene, som er myke men likevel tørrer godt.
Usikker på hvor denne går, med tilbaketrukket frukt er jeg ikke sikker på at den blir så mye bedre. Men det kan jo tenkes at tanninene integreres bedre.
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Deep crimson in color, this full-bodied blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah is packed with dark bramble fruits, smoke, loamy earth and black pepper. With fresh acidity, well-integrated alcohol (14.5%) and sturdy tannins, it stays dense in the middle and closes with a chewy, medium-length finish. This is an impressive effort that offers beautiful purity of fruit. I suspect that with another year or two in the cellar it will get even better. Drink 2017-2025.
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Nose of plum, grilled beef, and white pepper. Medium bodied with great acidity. A mouth of dark fruit and spice leads to a dark, rich finish. This is an impressive Gigondas. Drink now through 2022.
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Not quite 2 years after last note, still drinking very well. Dark ruby with a powerful nose of grilled beef, plum, black cherry, and savory spice. Full bodied, long, and powerful. Can go on for many more years.
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Weekly tasting group #154; 5 x 2 Red wines (@ The factory by JdB): Bouquet with dark fruits, herbs and spices, minerals, meat and laurel. On the palate dark and red berry fruits, pepper, spiciness, bacon, juicy and good acidity and soft tannin with a pleasant bite. Certainly for the vintage a well made and concentrated wine. Although already approachable it will probably improve with a few years of cellaring.
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Beaucoup trop jeune, très tannique. Doit être carafé quelques heures. Très bon avec la ratatouille. Avec du canard sauce aux bleuets, le grenache s'assagit face aux fruits. À garder quelques années.
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Similar to bottle last year. Smoke, spice, and plums on the nose. Palate is very dark in fruit profile and mostly hiding behind the tannic structure. Moderate finish. Rather backwards at this stage with a lot of structure and extraction. Missing a little elegance at this stage. May improve.
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Crushed black rock, pepper, earth, and spice on the bouquet and palate. Great weight, appealing texture and mouthfeel, long and enjoyable finish. Still fairly tight; it could use another year or two to unwind. 90-91.
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Deep ruby color. Leather, mineral, anise, and mineral on the nose. Red fruits, plum, and cocoa on the palate. Tight, good amount of tannins and prodigious acidity for a village wine. Had with some Wagyu sirloin which really opened it up, but better in 3-4 years.
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Brilliant wine that is almost impossible to resist, Essence of Grenache in a beautifully proportioned and elegant wine. Velvet tannins, black fruits, marmite, provencal herbs and a salty tang on the finish add up to a very refined and complete wine. These 2011's are wonderful. No doubt this wine will age on its balance and tannins. The wine goes down like water unlike some of the monstrous 2007s and 2010s which can feel over done...
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We paired this wine with homemade French Onion soup and Fries with truffle mayo.
We also decanted for 2 hrs before drinking.
Nose: Library Leather, Fresh cut wood, old stone building, red licorice, and blueberries. Palate: Leathery dryness, pleasant acidity, and medium weight. Cranberry, blackberry, and plums. Tannins were well structured.
This wine didn't really show it's true potential until we tried it with food. Once we paired with the soup and the fries with truffle mayo, the fruit and spice really came alive.
Not a wine to just sit and sip, but will definitely hold up to some rich and savory food. The acidity cut through the richness of the soup and the gooey fatty Gruyere cheese. Great Pairing!
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didn't take notes on this. sticky, brambly darker fruit without a wealth of barnyard or French Earth. plenty of time for this bad boy to age but it's not too young to drink now. almost seemed like a California wine but don't let that discourage you.
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muted red and black berry, cedar. In the mouth the wine is savoury with liquorice flavours accompanied by black fruit then pronounced, chewy, tight tannin. It has big fruit but this drops behind the tannin and doesn't re-emerge - needs time? Then had another bottle that had been open 2 days…muted red and black berry, cedar and spice in the mouth the wine has red and black berry, savoury spice, chewy tannin ends spicy and grippy the fruit is still a little short though the structure is good.
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Ap: Dark purple Ar: A little closed for the moment, but you get some sweet fruits and spices Full bodied and rather intense palate with available tannins Good length
50+4+12+16+7
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Delicious and very satisfying, a definite candidate for casehood. It's still a bit green but all the elements are right there. Lately I've been wanting to throw myself at the feet of the god of grenache- and this is no exception- and the cofermentation with mouvedre and syrah, stems and all, makes for a very distinctive wine with purple fruit, rocks and dirt, very chocolatey, smokey, and just the right amount of tarry licoriced animal, but not the least bit cloying. Wonderful medium weight wine, with that mystical quality you often find in a really good Gigondas. It proves my theory that 40 is the new 20-- not that long ago this is what you'd expect in a carefully chosen $20 bottle; now it's $40.
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Way too early to drink this Wine, Decanted for one hour and a have, still a bit too green. But the adorable parfume and the rich tast of the wine show that it's a wine with good potential!
Very good and certainly what I go looking for in a rhone wine. Dark fruits with garrigue, basil, and thyme. Dense and thick but no hard edges. Easy to drink now. Should last at least a decade.
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Casual wine, no detailed notes. Expected mix of red berry notes, along with meat and spices. A little dilute with less concentration than recent vintages, but approachable now and should be early maturing in comparison.
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Saint-Cosme has been more modern in style but not losing it's sense of place to me and this regular bottling of gigondas is in that same vein. Great perfumy nose red fruits and a wood roundness but earthy in the core with licorice, sagebrush and more.
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Black fruit, forest mushroom, and a little dust on the nose. Rich fruit and minerals on the palate. Full bodied. Lots of pepper on a lo-ong finish. A beautiful match for steak and duck.
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This is very nice and open knit, slightly green on the final but no harm here. Its concentration is truly impressive given the vintage. A wine to look forward to. 88 points
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10/30/2023 - WineGuyX wrote: flawed
This is thin and dried out and over the hill. Nose of mushroom and "singed" as Michael Broadbent used to say. If you have any, drink now. 85
Edit: after reading so many glowing reviews within the last year, I'm changing this to "flawed", although there is no obvious flaw. Cork was pristine.
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4/23/2023 - DFBW wrote: 93 Points
Had this single bottle sitting in the cellar for years and thought perhaps the time was right before it got too old as I’m not the biggest fan of old Rhone wines. Good decision as this wine is right in the sweet spot. Pulled the cork, no decant and just an hour or so of air. Very dark colour in a large glass with good deep aroma of dark fruit. Really singing on the palate though. Quite big, rich and meaty wine but still keeping a good level of that dark blackberry fruit. Decent lingering finish and delicious with Colston Bassett cheese. Always been a big fan of Gigondas wines that often seem to outperform other Southern Rhone / CNDP wines and this is a great example especially when bought young and left to rest for a while…
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3/12/2023 - 2caveman Likes this wine: 91 Points
Alluring nose and in good drinking window. Lacking fruit which leaves the palate a bit bereft but very pleasing overall. Not up to usual standards for this bottling
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3/8/2023 - Marc wrote: 91 Points
Showing quite a bit of bottle development, but still expressing game, red cherry and raspberry fruit, and tobacco and leather. In the mouth, this is very tannic, verging on furry. Structured and savoury - the ripeness of the fruit is more than balanced by the dryness of the tannins. At first I wondered if this wine had peaked, but I could detect no sign of the fruit fading. This is destined to always be a tannic expression of Gigondas, and I can see this wine morphing into something very interesting in the next 3 - 5 years. 91 points for me, although if one’s tolerance for tannins are beyond mine, o could see 92…
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11/27/2022 - AMC Eagle wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for 2 hours. Medium ruby-garnet in colour. Nose of smoky red raspberries, touch of black peppers, and red currants. On the palate, a tannic blackberry streak is noted along with black peppers, hints of black cherries and bits of green herbs. Medium bodied with a medium+ finish. Had the 2012 a few days ago; both are different yet have some similarities to each other.
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9/8/2022 - platpeeps Likes this wine: 91 Points
On first opening I was a little underwhelmed but after a couple of hours in a decanter this opened out nicely to reveal its true character and fulfil its potential. There were complex of kirsch cherries, damsons and plums backed up with soft tannins, warmth and pepper.
A bit of a blockbuster yet there was still lift and freshness, developing a silky unctuous mouthfeel. From the mid-palate through to the finish further flavours sprang forth such as prunes, cocoa powder and milk chocolate. All in all in spite of the weight there was still vibrancy, brightness and almost a delicacy. Chp 91 pts
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1/23/2022 - Machiavellian Likes this wine: 92 Points
Fantastic example of Gigondas. Big, peppery, balanced and lots of old smooth tannins. The color is getting slightly brown around the edges. It is ready now, not likely to improve.
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12/28/2021 - Everything Ahead wrote: 89 Points
Nice aged nose on this Gigondas of barrel funk, brandied cherries and ripe camembert cheese (!) The tannins are underripe and drying though I fear (the vintage I guess) so I wouldn't cellar this too much longer. I always enjoy wines from this producer though.
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12/6/2021 - PhillyVine2112 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Much of the fruit has faded from this one but the tannins have not. It's still pretty bracing, even with a few hours in the decanter. Dominated by tertiary flavors it is not, however, unpleasant. Although not particularly elegant it still has a lot of enjoyable complexity.
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8/3/2021 - 2caveman Likes this wine: 91 Points
This is still surprisingly tannic and bracing to the palate at first go. But with time in carafe it shed and softened. Few traces of fruit added to the abruptness of the wine but over time and with food, it grew on me. Fine structure and weight without being over the top. Not a hot vintage may explain the lack of ripeness and fruit. I will hold my last bottle a few more years to see how secondary evolution unfolds
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3/8/2021 - Marc wrote: 93 Points
Tannic (fine-grained), dark chocolate, peanuts, classic Southern Rhône Grenache, warm and fragrant, really classy palate. I love e the rustic nature of this wine. This is in maturity, but the overall impression is still of a tannic mouthfeel - one which remains throughout entry, mid palate and the finish. A touch of star anise and dark chocolate/ mocha on finish.
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1/14/2021 - platpeeps Likes this wine: 91 Points
C: Dark, concentrated and opaque with ruby garnet rim.
N: Menthol with woody notes and smoke.
T: Kirsch and black cherry interlaced with truffles, tobacco and liquorice. Velvety texture underpinned with black tea and soft mouth-drying tannins. The fruit is ripe and sweet yet balanced with a marked savoury character, freshness and lift.
It’s polished and silky, with a welcoming, warm and spicy mouthfeel to keep out the winter chill. In spite of its 14.5% abv, it still manages to hide any alcoholic burn, finishing strongly with good length, and displaying complexity.
Summary: It may be a heavyweight but has a lightness of touch. Impressive, balanced and drinking beautifully. Now approaching it’s prime but will continue give great pleasure for at least the next 2-3 years. I loved it, and consider it a worthy rival to most Chateauneufs as it just seems to have extra lift. Score 91 pts.
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10/24/2020 - ploher wrote:
Stewed fruit, raisins, spicy, peppery finish; powerful, mighty Gigondas, but no finesse here and above all I miss acidity and freshness. The concentration surely is impressive, but this is way too massive and overdone in my opinion; the balance isn't right here; jammy and alcoholic, with massive tannins drying out the palate. Disappointing. 14/20
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6/28/2020 - jweedin Likes this wine: 92 Points
Another great wine from a great producer even though not from a great vintage. Brilliant nose with good acidity. Paired well with Italian. Dark red fruit. Finish not as great as the nose
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6/7/2020 - pjjsmith Likes this wine: 91 Points
Black tea and pencil lead shavings aroma. Black currant fruit and liquorice balance with chewy tannins to finish. Enjoyed this wine with beef casserole. Drinking well now. A fleshy wine that has elegance to match well with any meat dish.
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4/17/2020 - ikileo wrote:
Drank over 4 days.
Day 1 a portion was decanted - very meaty & savory with earth tones. not much fruit and felt a bit tired.
Day 2-4: Opened up far more and peaked in Day 2. More balanced and the meatiness has toned done with reveal more dark fruited elements. Would recommend a quick decant.
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12/26/2019 - chbeaumont wrote: 90 Points
Blood red, near opaque; classic nose, bags of herbs, warm dark fruit; big, unabashedly so, flavour packed, savoury; brawny, now & next decade.
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7/2/2019 - Marc wrote: 92 Points
Superb Gigondas - rich, warm, and ripe. Feathery tannins,, that became more pronounced as the wine opened up. Earth and peanut notes, along with a feral red-fruit personality. This is drinking very well in early to mid maturity, showing a serious nature to balance the open Grenache personality. Very sophisticated southern Rhone wine.
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1/21/2019 - COWineLover wrote: 88 Points
Good plum color. Initial impression shows this offering garrigue, crushed black fruits, smoke, and ground black pepper, though aromatically one must strain to pick these elements up. On the palate this lacks any real substance. The acidity is subdued with integrated tannins. Presenting black pepper, scorched earth notes from the smokiness, and crushed black fruits. The finish is very clipped, and the finish that does exist leaves an impression of overripe fruits.
Having consumed several bottles of this wine over the course of four years, I find it very average. Nothing noteworthy. Obviously a top house, but far from a top Vintage here.
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1/4/2019 - dom1581 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Kräuter und Gewürze. Erdig. Schwarzer Tee. Brombeere. Sehr lecker.
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7/23/2018 - Doc90 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Classic aromatic expression of Southern Rhone-tea leaf, garrigue, black earth, and licorice. Very herbal, masculine, but with a deep cherry core. Harmonious tannin and acidity. Notes of licorice and green tea. Lovely, and surprisingly ready to drink.
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7/1/2018 - 2caveman Likes this wine: 90 Points
No rush on these. Try again in 19-20
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1/5/2017 - Cellar Hand Likes this wine: 91 Points
Still totally yummy and still developing. Clear Deep Ruby, dark bramble fruits, smoke and loamy earth. Balanced and med + tannins, it stays dense in the middle and closes with a chewy, medium-length finish. If you have the patience hang on for 3 to 5 years.
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12/12/2016 - DFBW wrote: 88 Points
Nothing to write home about here. Very dark colour and a little jammy tasting. Quite alcoholic tasting so probably needs a bit more age but should still taste a bit better than this now.
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11/16/2016 - COWineLover wrote: 87 Points
This is a stinker! On opening the glass fills with barnyard and iodine aromas. On the palate the tannins are a bit dry and the acidity modestly flabby. On the palate this leads with minerality and blackberries that hang back, turning somewhat sour towards the finish. The finish does not hang on very long, and the overall impression is a confused wine now.
I'm not loving the sour notes on the finish. I recall prior bottles being more vibrant and fresh. This is showing more like a Northern Rhone at this stage, and the Syrah characteristics seem predominant despite the low percentage of fruit. The typicity of smoked meats and pepper is missing.
Could be in the dumb phase.
Day 2 - The wine improved overnight where the off putting sour notes were no longer present.
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7/11/2016 - Marc wrote: 90 Points
Fat and stinky, generous Grenache fruit. High alcohol but lovely thick balance. There is a clear toasted/charred note to the palate. Still primary, this outstanding wine will develop very well over the next decade.
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5/2/2016 - Zweder wrote: 90 Points
Weekly tasting group #212; GSM: Blend or mono cepage? (@ The factory by JdB): In the bouquet red and dark berries, still youthful and creamy, herbs and spices, minerals and some tobacco. On the palate a typical Rhone blend with dark and red berries, a lot of herbs and spices, some mocha, vanilla, some sweetness, good acidity, round tannin with a good bite and some bitterness. Overall a beautiful and concentrated, still youthful wine which is just slightly more developed compared to last year and still youthful. Keep until 2018 – 2020+.
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4/10/2016 - Cellar Hand wrote: 90 Points
Love this wine. Clear Deep Ruby, this full-bodied blend of has dark bramble fruits, smoke, loamy earth and black pepper. Balanced and med + tannins, it stays dense in the middle and closes with a chewy, medium-length finish. Still developing and if you have the patience hang on for 3 to 5 years.
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3/23/2016 - RuneW Likes this wine: 88 Points
Mørk, varm frukt og asiatisk krydder. Parfyrmert. Svak tone av lakris og brente kaffebønner.
God munnfølelse, men litt lett på midten. Frukten er litt tam og kommer i bakgrunnen av tanninene, som er myke men likevel tørrer godt.
Usikker på hvor denne går, med tilbaketrukket frukt er jeg ikke sikker på at den blir så mye bedre. Men det kan jo tenkes at tanninene integreres bedre.
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12/23/2015 - jbarratt wrote: 86 Points
Drank it too early. Still good.
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12/18/2015 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 90 Points
Deep crimson in color, this full-bodied blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah is packed with dark bramble fruits, smoke, loamy earth and black pepper. With fresh acidity, well-integrated alcohol (14.5%) and sturdy tannins, it stays dense in the middle and closes with a chewy, medium-length finish. This is an impressive effort that offers beautiful purity of fruit. I suspect that with another year or two in the cellar it will get even better. Drink 2017-2025.
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7/29/2015 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Stinky funky barn yard.
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7/23/2015 - rlove wrote: 91 Points
Nose of plum, grilled beef, and white pepper. Medium bodied with great acidity. A mouth of dark fruit and spice leads to a dark, rich finish. This is an impressive Gigondas. Drink now through 2022.
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5/4/2015 - Motz wrote: 92 Points
Crushed black rocks, dark berries, cracked peppercorn, herbs, meatiness, earth, and minerals. Rustic, gripping, and long. 91-92.
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4/6/2015 - smphelps wrote: 91 Points
Not quite 2 years after last note, still drinking very well. Dark ruby with a powerful nose of grilled beef, plum, black cherry, and savory spice. Full bodied, long, and powerful. Can go on for many more years.
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2/2/2015 - Zweder Likes this wine: 90 Points
Weekly tasting group #154; 5 x 2 Red wines (@ The factory by JdB): Bouquet with dark fruits, herbs and spices, minerals, meat and laurel. On the palate dark and red berry fruits, pepper, spiciness, bacon, juicy and good acidity and soft tannin with a pleasant bite. Certainly for the vintage a well made and concentrated wine. Although already approachable it will probably improve with a few years of cellaring.
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1/18/2015 - Mazy Likes this wine: 86 Points
Beaucoup trop jeune, très tannique. Doit être carafé quelques heures. Très bon avec la ratatouille. Avec du canard sauce aux bleuets, le grenache s'assagit face aux fruits. À garder quelques années.
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12/18/2014 - Nutty08 wrote: 89 Points
Similar to bottle last year. Smoke, spice, and plums on the nose. Palate is very dark in fruit profile and mostly hiding behind the tannic structure. Moderate finish. Rather backwards at this stage with a lot of structure and extraction. Missing a little elegance at this stage. May improve.
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12/6/2014 - Motz wrote: 91 Points
Crushed black rock, pepper, earth, and spice on the bouquet and palate. Great weight, appealing texture and mouthfeel, long and enjoyable finish. Still fairly tight; it could use another year or two to unwind. 90-91.
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9/26/2014 - cubswinws Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really enjoyed this wine. Nice French earth and spicy dark fruit. Long finish.
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8/17/2014 - lquam Likes this wine: 90 Points
Deep ruby color. Leather, mineral, anise, and mineral on the nose. Red fruits, plum, and cocoa on the palate. Tight, good amount of tannins and prodigious acidity for a village wine. Had with some Wagyu sirloin which really opened it up, but better in 3-4 years.
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8/1/2014 - Marc wrote: 91 Points
Brilliant wine that is almost impossible to resist, Essence of Grenache in a beautifully proportioned and elegant wine. Velvet tannins, black fruits, marmite, provencal herbs and a salty tang on the finish add up to a very refined and complete wine. These 2011's are wonderful. No doubt this wine will age on its balance and tannins. The wine goes down like water unlike some of the monstrous 2007s and 2010s which can feel over done...
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6/29/2014 - JakeandEsther Likes this wine: 88 Points
We paired this wine with homemade French Onion soup and Fries with truffle mayo.
We also decanted for 2 hrs before drinking.
Nose: Library Leather, Fresh cut wood, old stone building, red licorice, and blueberries.
Palate: Leathery dryness, pleasant acidity, and medium weight. Cranberry, blackberry, and plums. Tannins were well structured.
This wine didn't really show it's true potential until we tried it with food. Once we paired with the soup and the fries with truffle mayo, the fruit and spice really came alive.
Not a wine to just sit and sip, but will definitely hold up to some rich and savory food. The acidity cut through the richness of the soup and the gooey fatty Gruyere cheese. Great Pairing!
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4/27/2014 - Merky_Waters Likes this wine: 91 Points
didn't take notes on this. sticky, brambly darker fruit without a wealth of barnyard or French Earth. plenty of time for this bad boy to age but it's not too young to drink now. almost seemed like a California wine but don't let that discourage you.
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3/24/2014 - chatters wrote:
muted red and black berry, cedar. In the mouth the wine is savoury with liquorice flavours accompanied by black fruit then pronounced, chewy, tight tannin. It has big fruit but this drops behind the tannin and doesn't re-emerge - needs time? Then had another bottle that had been open 2 days…muted red and black berry, cedar and spice in the mouth the wine has red and black berry, savoury spice, chewy tannin ends spicy and grippy the fruit is still a little short though the structure is good.
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3/22/2014 - admid wrote: 89 Points
Tasted at VINOSUS, Oslo, 18/3-14
Ap: Dark purple
Ar: A little closed for the moment, but you get some sweet fruits and spices
Full bodied and rather intense palate with available tannins
Good length
50+4+12+16+7
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3/16/2014 - Decanting fool wrote: 92 Points
Delicious and very satisfying, a definite candidate for casehood. It's still a bit green but all the elements are right there. Lately I've been wanting to throw myself at the feet of the god of grenache- and this is no exception- and the cofermentation with mouvedre and syrah, stems and all, makes for a very distinctive wine with purple fruit, rocks and dirt, very chocolatey, smokey, and just the right amount of tarry licoriced animal, but not the least bit cloying. Wonderful medium weight wine, with that mystical quality you often find in a really good Gigondas. It proves my theory that 40 is the new 20-- not that long ago this is what you'd expect in a carefully chosen $20 bottle; now it's $40.
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1/25/2014 - ttzhaott wrote: 90 Points
Way too early to drink this Wine, Decanted for one hour and a have, still a bit too green. But the adorable parfume and the rich tast of the wine show that it's a wine with good potential!
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12/30/2013 - smphelps wrote: 92 Points
Very good and certainly what I go looking for in a rhone wine. Dark fruits with garrigue, basil, and thyme. Dense and thick but no hard edges. Easy to drink now. Should last at least a decade.
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12/26/2013 - Nutty08 wrote: 89 Points
Casual wine, no detailed notes. Expected mix of red berry notes, along with meat and spices. A little dilute with less concentration than recent vintages, but approachable now and should be early maturing in comparison.
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12/19/2013 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Off the cork pull it smell corked. We shall see. Maybe just a bunch of stems?
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11/19/2013 - bajayngo wrote:
Saint-Cosme has been more modern in style but not losing it's sense of place to me and this regular bottling of gigondas is in that same vein. Great perfumy nose red fruits and a wood roundness but earthy in the core with licorice, sagebrush and more.
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11/16/2013 - Zoomin Z Likes this wine: 93 Points
Black fruit, forest mushroom, and a little dust on the nose. Rich fruit and minerals on the palate. Full bodied. Lots of pepper on a lo-ong finish. A beautiful match for steak and duck.
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7/31/2013 - laralh wrote: 89 Points
Mørk, rød frukt, blåbær, bjørnebær, pepper, litt vanilje. Veldig bra. Lang ettersmak, intens. Denne blir meget bra om noen år.
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7/13/2013 - joshwoodward Likes this wine: 92 Points
Deep dark fruit, tannic, acidic, concentrated. Young.
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7/2/2013 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
On day two really nice but I also think a bit corky.
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4/19/2013 - cr84 wrote: 88 Points
This is very nice and open knit, slightly green on the final but no harm here. Its concentration is truly impressive given the vintage. A wine to look forward to. 88 points
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