I agree with everything Jeff Leve wrote other than calling this elegant. It's burly and a little clumsy, but that doesn't bother me any. A lot of people are talking about holding this for 5+ years but I think it's drinking great now and is unlikely to improve. With luck it will evolve and not devolve.
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I rarely buy big red wines that are this young. Tasting this validates that. It is too tight and dense and needs at least a few years more bottle age before it could reasonably be considered in its prime drinking window.
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I have of few of these and it is my first experience with st cosme gigondas. Definitely some upside here, dark fruit, tannins are not fully integrated as you would expect, some heat in the finish. Not great, not bad, just a little anonymous…
Medium-bodied, elegant, fresh, vibrant, sweet, ripe, peppered red fruits, and jam, along with earthy and leafy-herb nuances from start to finish are already perfect for consumption n this delicious wine. Drink from 2022-2030.
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Nice wine - what one would expect from South Rhone but with enough intensity/complexity that makes it interesting and differentiated from the typical bottle. Tannins are a bit gritty at this stage so could do with more aging.
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From magnum. Great color. The nose shows aromas of deep red fruits, minerals, flowers, garrigue and a hint of earth. This is full bodied on the palate with excellent concentration and very good class. The fairly long finish features refined tannins and good freshness.
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Great color. The nose shows fragrant aromas of cassis, flowers, garrigue, minerals and spices. This is medium full bodied on the palate with excellent concentration and real class. The fairly long finish features refined tannins and a touch of alcohol. Lots of finesse on display here...
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It's interesting to see how the CT reviews are all over the map so I decided to pull one out of the cellar and taste it for myself. This has tons of flavor, but the problem is the 15.5% abv. I mostly agree with Motz but I don't think this is going to last 5-7 years without turning completely flabby. I would cellar this another 12-18 months and then drink all of it. Could easily peak at 93 in a year and go downhill from there. The '16 version of this wine is drinking amazingly right now but some of my other '16s (Grand Veneur les Origines, Olivier B) have lost their lift and taste past their prime.
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Crimson red with nose showing rosemary grilled meats, and dried flowers. Luscious fruit and silky tannins, mostly black cherry and quite linear at this stage with oak spice evident but not domineering and unsurprising given the youth. A lovely balanced wine although v primary so should surely be cellared but good to try now if found on a list. BTG 92++
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My vote is to wait another 3 years and try again. There are elements to like, but the fruit flavors of a good Grenache seem tamped down with emphasis on Syrah notes of grilled meat and smoked bacon. Opened a bit in the glass. We did not decant but should have.
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Disappointing QPR. I was planning to cellar this for much longer but it was mistakenly opened late into a party. I actually thought this was the CDR. At roughly 4x the price, this is terrible qpr. Not a bad wine but actually less complex and enjoyable than the 2019 CDR at this stage. Rather thin in flavor, I don’t think its worth cellaring.
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Honeyed walnuts and hints of raisin, coffee and cacao bathing in almost otherworldly tannins. A huge wine at 15.5% ABV - full SQN style. This doesn't at all say Syrah to me (and I think it's 100%, but could be wrong), but then again, I guess it does, because I equally can't say it tastes like any other grape either, so by elimination, it kinda has to be Syrah. The great chameleon grape yet again.
I can see once the tannins subside with age that it will become a little more rounded, but the sweetness will forever remain. In a way, it feels like a wine that's 15 years old already and entering the decline fruit-wise, but with huge tannins, still. I will say that this will have its fans - I can see it as a powerful steak dinner wine.
*EDIT - I've since learned it's mainly Grenache blend.*
Like a couple of other reviewers of this wine, I am a bit perplexed by the 2019 vintage. I have enjoyed St Cosme's (regular bottling) Gigondas since the 1998 vintage; in fact, the '98 and '99 vintages were two of my favorites of them all. This new vintage, however, which was followed over 3 days, begins all alcohol and honey, with some almost botrytis-type aromas. It improves slightly the next day, although the drying tannins make themselves more known as well. There is some good fruit lurking in there though, but by the 3rd day it hasn't really gone anywhere special. I have one more bottle which I will lose in the cellar, and who knows, this might be a very nice Gigondas with 10 years on it, but I am unsure whether it will gain the complexity or balance to merit a much higher rating, and so I won't be seeking out more. Interesting how highly rated this is by some critics. (Graded on potential as much as anything)
First impression of the vintage. Seemed a tad hot and over the top as compared to recent vintages, which for me had a touch more balance (a lot more balance in the case of 16), but it was still a delicious and textured wine that I'll be interested to watch evolve - even if it didn't give me that special feeling I typically have with each release of this wine. 89 for now, but we'll see how it goes.
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Tremendous expression of variety in place! Deep purple Grenache, with opaque crimson hues. Elegant fruit, concentrated, but no hint of heavy extraction. The fruit gives way to savory at the middle. Minimal oak influence. Riveting terroir-driven substance and profound mineral depth! Exquisite, powdery to grainy tannins. Lovely balance! This could be special. Crazy appeal now. Five to seven years might reveal a QPR masterpiece. We emptied the bottle quickly. 93-94...95!?
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An overwhelming bitter note of grapefruit skin prevents any other aromatical expression. Tastes almost like a Port, with no heat there. I've had much better young St Cosme.
Pas en place, car une note amère de peau de pamplemousse domine les débats. L'équilibre est presque celui d'un VDN, même si ça ne chauffe pas. J'ai bu de bien meilleurs St Cosme en jeunesse.
Sabe bastante a piel de pomelo... y casi nada mas. El equilibrio es similar al de un Oporto, pero no se siente ningun calor. He probado mejores vinos jovenes de St Cosme.
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A very strong year for St Cosme, the basic Gigondas hits well above its price class, with deeply flavored red fruits, a complex nose showcasing the fruit but accented by beeswax and lavender, creosote, scorched earth. Delicious on the palate and will surely improve over the next two or three years in a cool cellar.
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2/16/2024 - BenjaminWhiteMD wrote: 87 Points
It was ok, but I’ve had way better offerings from St Cosme. It’s pretty good fruit, but it felt hot and a little unbalanced.
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1/29/2024 - Portland Seth Likes this wine: 93 Points
I agree with everything Jeff Leve wrote other than calling this elegant. It's burly and a little clumsy, but that doesn't bother me any. A lot of people are talking about holding this for 5+ years but I think it's drinking great now and is unlikely to improve. With luck it will evolve and not devolve.
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12/8/2022 - rmalloy Likes this wine:
I rarely buy big red wines that are this young. Tasting this validates that. It is too tight and dense and needs at least a few years more bottle age before it could reasonably be considered in its prime drinking window.
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10/7/2022 - Dukes88 wrote: 89 Points
I have of few of these and it is my first experience with st cosme gigondas. Definitely some upside here, dark fruit, tannins are not fully integrated as you would expect, some heat in the finish. Not great, not bad, just a little anonymous…
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8/22/2022 - Jeff Leve wrote: 92 Points
Medium-bodied, elegant, fresh, vibrant, sweet, ripe, peppered red fruits, and jam, along with earthy and leafy-herb nuances from start to finish are already perfect for consumption n this delicious wine. Drink from 2022-2030.
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8/3/2022 - kevchia wrote: 91 Points
Nice wine - what one would expect from South Rhone but with enough intensity/complexity that makes it interesting and differentiated from the typical bottle. Tannins are a bit gritty at this stage so could do with more aging.
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6/17/2022 - Ticker tape guy Likes this wine: 90 Points
dark blackberry licorice hint of leather and a nice peppery finish..well integrated tannins nice with grilled sausage ravioli
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5/31/2022 - KPB wrote: 90 Points
Fingerlakes wine tasting with Yagil Barel; 5/28/2022-5/31/2022 (Cayuga, Seneca, Keuka Lakes): Deep purple, excellent entry level offering. Rich, spice cake, blue and black fruits. Hold for a few years.
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5/30/2022 - aajder wrote: 93 Points
From magnum. Great color. The nose shows aromas of deep red fruits, minerals, flowers, garrigue and a hint of earth. This is full bodied on the palate with excellent concentration and very good class. The fairly long finish features refined tannins and good freshness.
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5/28/2022 - Yagil wrote: 90 Points
Quality Gigondas, too young to really enjoy
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5/24/2022 - aajder wrote: 92 Points
Great color. The nose shows fragrant aromas of cassis, flowers, garrigue, minerals and spices. This is medium full bodied on the palate with excellent concentration and real class. The fairly long finish features refined tannins and a touch of alcohol. Lots of finesse on display here...
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4/14/2022 - Portland Seth Likes this wine: 92 Points
It's interesting to see how the CT reviews are all over the map so I decided to pull one out of the cellar and taste it for myself. This has tons of flavor, but the problem is the 15.5% abv. I mostly agree with Motz but I don't think this is going to last 5-7 years without turning completely flabby. I would cellar this another 12-18 months and then drink all of it. Could easily peak at 93 in a year and go downhill from there. The '16 version of this wine is drinking amazingly right now but some of my other '16s (Grand Veneur les Origines, Olivier B) have lost their lift and taste past their prime.
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4/5/2022 - fussyeater Likes this wine: 92 Points
Crimson red with nose showing rosemary grilled meats, and dried flowers. Luscious fruit and silky tannins, mostly black cherry and quite linear at this stage with oak spice evident but not domineering and unsurprising given the youth. A lovely balanced wine although v primary so should surely be cellared but good to try now if found on a list. BTG 92++
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4/2/2022 - OldHick95 Likes this wine: 90 Points
My vote is to wait another 3 years and try again. There are elements to like, but the fruit flavors of a good Grenache seem tamped down with emphasis on Syrah notes of grilled meat and smoked bacon. Opened a bit in the glass. We did not decant but should have.
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1/24/2022 - CheviotCellar Does not like this wine: 88 Points
Disappointing QPR. I was planning to cellar this for much longer but it was mistakenly opened late into a party. I actually thought this was the CDR. At roughly 4x the price, this is terrible qpr. Not a bad wine but actually less complex and enjoyable than the 2019 CDR at this stage. Rather thin in flavor, I don’t think its worth cellaring.
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1/21/2022 - S-F wrote: 87 Points
Honeyed walnuts and hints of raisin, coffee and cacao bathing in almost otherworldly tannins. A huge wine at 15.5% ABV - full SQN style. This doesn't at all say Syrah to me (and I think it's 100%, but could be wrong), but then again, I guess it does, because I equally can't say it tastes like any other grape either, so by elimination, it kinda has to be Syrah. The great chameleon grape yet again.
I can see once the tannins subside with age that it will become a little more rounded, but the sweetness will forever remain. In a way, it feels like a wine that's 15 years old already and entering the decline fruit-wise, but with huge tannins, still. I will say that this will have its fans - I can see it as a powerful steak dinner wine.
*EDIT - I've since learned it's mainly Grenache blend.*
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1/21/2022 - Everything Ahead wrote: 88 Points
Like a couple of other reviewers of this wine, I am a bit perplexed by the 2019 vintage. I have enjoyed St Cosme's (regular bottling) Gigondas since the 1998 vintage; in fact, the '98 and '99 vintages were two of my favorites of them all. This new vintage, however, which was followed over 3 days, begins all alcohol and honey, with some almost botrytis-type aromas. It improves slightly the next day, although the drying tannins make themselves more known as well. There is some good fruit lurking in there though, but by the 3rd day it hasn't really gone anywhere special. I have one more bottle which I will lose in the cellar, and who knows, this might be a very nice Gigondas with 10 years on it, but I am unsure whether it will gain the complexity or balance to merit a much higher rating, and so I won't be seeking out more. Interesting how highly rated this is by some critics. (Graded on potential as much as anything)
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12/26/2021 - anstruletz Likes this wine: 89 Points
First impression of the vintage. Seemed a tad hot and over the top as compared to recent vintages, which for me had a touch more balance (a lot more balance in the case of 16), but it was still a delicious and textured wine that I'll be interested to watch evolve - even if it didn't give me that special feeling I typically have with each release of this wine. 89 for now, but we'll see how it goes.
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12/24/2021 - Motz wrote: 93 Points
Tremendous expression of variety in place! Deep purple Grenache, with opaque crimson hues. Elegant fruit, concentrated, but no hint of heavy extraction. The fruit gives way to savory at the middle. Minimal oak influence. Riveting terroir-driven substance and profound mineral depth! Exquisite, powdery to grainy tannins. Lovely balance! This could be special. Crazy appeal now. Five to seven years might reveal a QPR masterpiece. We emptied the bottle quickly. 93-94...95!?
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10/2/2021 - BurgunDivine wrote:
An overwhelming bitter note of grapefruit skin prevents any other aromatical expression. Tastes almost like a Port, with no heat there. I've had much better young St Cosme.
Pas en place, car une note amère de peau de pamplemousse domine les débats. L'équilibre est presque celui d'un VDN, même si ça ne chauffe pas. J'ai bu de bien meilleurs St Cosme en jeunesse.
Sabe bastante a piel de pomelo... y casi nada mas. El equilibrio es similar al de un Oporto, pero no se siente ningun calor. He probado mejores vinos jovenes de St Cosme.
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7/28/2021 - KPB wrote: 91 Points
A very strong year for St Cosme, the basic Gigondas hits well above its price class, with deeply flavored red fruits, a complex nose showcasing the fruit but accented by beeswax and lavender, creosote, scorched earth. Delicious on the palate and will surely improve over the next two or three years in a cool cellar.
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