Quite aromatic, loaded with licorice, baked black cherries, herbs de Provence and blackberry compote. As is typical for this winery, this was tight and tannic upon opening but an two hours in the decanter has opened it considerably. Full-bodied and still quite tannic, but on an open frame with loads of sweet black fruits, kirsh, a hint of black olive and spice. This is in fine shape and will likely make it to age 25 without undue degradation! Drink now-2028 93
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Big, dark, ripe, chocolate, medium acidity, medium (+) tannins and high alcohol. Still hedonistic, with many years left. Further proof that 2005 is an amazing vintage in France.
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About 2 hour decant, not much nose but drank very well. Very well like by the group. I like the 1996 fontanafredda barolo better but I am a barolo guy, others liked this better. I have to say that this bottle was much better than the one I drank 2 or 3 of years ago. Nice wine that had a lot of life. licorice, spice and a hint of orange peel.
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This is still quite young, with strong tannins (though soft), and the acid in perfect balance. Better day 2, but not completely accessible at this point. I'll hold my other bottle for a few more years.
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Still vibrant and still in its early drinking window. I had one in 2012 and not much has changed. Drink at cellar temperature since the alcohol does come alive as it warms to Norcal room temperature.
Initially decanted into a menu wine breather carafe and cork was ever so slightly saturated. Placed in the refrigerator for about an hour then pulled and slowly drank as the wine warmed a bit. The color does not show too much age at this time. The nose was grand with kirsch, dark muddled fruit, forest floor and spice. Nice balance and finish to go with the nose. Tannins still present so I'll give it another 5 before I consume my next bottle.
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Drank along side a 2011. The 2011 might get to the level of the 2005 in 10 more years, but this 2005 is great. Great CdP blend with expected flavors. Wonderful balance. Great food wine. Excited to see where this will be in 5 more years...it has that and more left.
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pretty bold and modern in style. a bit hot on the nose, but it blew off after an hour or so. rich, brambly red fruit. maybe some nice secondary notes as well. alive and well, but I wouldn't keep it much longer.
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Opened for ten minutes= bolder; dried fruit; figs; spice. Let open for 2 hours: mellower; smoother. Tastes of nets; coffee; spice, earth, fennel seeds and figs. Needs food. Paired very well with lamb shanks braised in coffee. Also paired well with roasted turnips.
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A dark garnet brooding wine just beginning to round into form. Dark cherry, smoke, olives, fat, leather, and plum all competing for attention. Should contiue to improve over the next 5 years at least.
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Drinking well at the moment. Love the medicinal characteristics followed by the forrest floor with a leather satchel draped on top. Still fruit present but taking the backseat on this one.
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Decanted for about 3 hours. Thought this wine was incredible. Smelled liicorice, chocolate, floral, perfume, lavender, leather, just an intense depth of smell. Balanced, pear, chocolate and cedar taste. The tannins were soft initially but more noticeable on the finish - want a few more bottles of this so I can see how it evolves.
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Specs - Southern Rhone Tasting 2009 (L'ALLIANCE FRANCAISE): Color was about the same as the single vineyard Gigondas bottles. The nose was more black and blue fruit with leather, tobacco, and cedar blended in. Aromatically very interesting. On the palate, I would guess this wine gets a little more oak than the previous bottles. It is not overdone, but slightly more noticeable even though I don't think Barruol uses any new oak on his CdP. This wine is a similar style to the other Saint Cosme offerings. Great balance and will continue to improve over the next 10-15yrs. 92pts.
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St Cosme tasting (Wine What Else, Singapore): Dark purple colour. Nice nose, if just a llittle oak-dominant at first - butter and vanilla along with a really pure expression of sweet blackcurrant fruit. Really clean, elegant feel to the palate with lifting acidity and super-firm tannins backing up bright flavours of dark berries, black olives, roast meat, raisins and a touch of forest floor. Long, elegant finish, with a smoky charcoal character rounded the wine off. Very nice, but this needs lots of time.
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1/3/2022 - Jon Mills Likes this wine: 93 Points
Rich, dark and delicious - drinking beautifully.
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8/15/2021 - WineGuyX Likes this wine: 93 Points
Quite aromatic, loaded with licorice, baked black cherries, herbs de Provence and blackberry compote. As is typical for this winery, this was tight and tannic upon opening but an two hours in the decanter has opened it considerably. Full-bodied and still quite tannic, but on an open frame with loads of sweet black fruits, kirsh, a hint of black olive and spice. This is in fine shape and will likely make it to age 25 without undue degradation! Drink now-2028 93
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2/21/2021 - BcDuncan Likes this wine: 90 Points
great nose on this, great flavour. considerable sediment in the bottle
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7/30/2018 - TannicBeast Likes this wine: 93 Points
Big, dark, ripe, chocolate, medium acidity, medium (+) tannins and high alcohol. Still hedonistic, with many years left. Further proof that 2005 is an amazing vintage in France.
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6/3/2017 - americanstorm Likes this wine: 90 Points
About 2 hour decant, not much nose but drank very well. Very well like by the group. I like the 1996 fontanafredda barolo better but I am a barolo guy, others liked this better. I have to say that this bottle was much better than the one I drank 2 or 3 of years ago. Nice wine that had a lot of life. licorice, spice and a hint of orange peel.
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11/5/2015 - ryestraw wrote:
This is still quite young, with strong tannins (though soft), and the acid in perfect balance. Better day 2, but not completely accessible at this point. I'll hold my other bottle for a few more years.
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9/16/2015 - jimmythesaint wrote:
Still vibrant and still in its early drinking window. I had one in 2012 and not much has changed. Drink at cellar temperature since the alcohol does come alive as it warms to Norcal room temperature.
Initially decanted into a menu wine breather carafe and cork was ever so slightly saturated. Placed in the refrigerator for about an hour then pulled and slowly drank as the wine warmed a bit. The color does not show too much age at this time. The nose was grand with kirsch, dark muddled fruit, forest floor and spice. Nice balance and finish to go with the nose. Tannins still present so I'll give it another 5 before I consume my next bottle.
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2/19/2015 - Two Winos Likes this wine: 94 Points
Drank along side a 2011. The 2011 might get to the level of the 2005 in 10 more years, but this 2005 is great. Great CdP blend with expected flavors. Wonderful balance. Great food wine. Excited to see where this will be in 5 more years...it has that and more left.
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2/7/2015 - AlphaMikeFoxtrot wrote: 92 Points
Cooked fruit, tobacco, saddle leather. Full bodied. Tannins are still there; but slowing down. Very long finish. Perfect with red meat on a cold day.
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1/1/2015 - moveablesirkus wrote:
drink up. pretty aromas, the acidity is still there. but so too is the alcohol - I doubt it's getting much better
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6/6/2014 - moveablesirkus wrote:
pretty bold and modern in style. a bit hot on the nose, but it blew off after an hour or so. rich, brambly red fruit. maybe some nice secondary notes as well. alive and well, but I wouldn't keep it much longer.
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5/13/2014 - Yagil wrote: 91 Points
Chateauneuf du pape tasting (The Traklin - new location): dark garnet
nose & palate of dark cherry, smoke, olives, fat, leather, and plum. will contiue to improve over the next 5 years at least.
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1/30/2013 - Hamilton1 wrote: 91 Points
A substantial improvement over the bottle I had 2 years ago. Subtle black and blue fruits with clove spice. No need to decant.
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1/24/2013 - sfqwino wrote: 91 Points
Figs, spice, earth. Ripe yet restrained and controlled. Very good for the vintage.
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12/25/2012 - jdrago wrote: 91 Points
Opened for ten minutes= bolder; dried fruit; figs; spice. Let open for 2 hours: mellower; smoother. Tastes of nets; coffee; spice, earth, fennel seeds and figs. Needs food. Paired very well with lamb shanks braised in coffee. Also paired well with roasted turnips.
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11/7/2012 - smphelps wrote: 90 Points
A dark garnet brooding wine just beginning to round into form. Dark cherry, smoke, olives, fat, leather, and plum all competing for attention. Should contiue to improve over the next 5 years at least.
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5/14/2012 - jimmythesaint wrote:
Drinking well at the moment. Love the medicinal characteristics followed by the forrest floor with a leather satchel draped on top. Still fruit present but taking the backseat on this one.
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5/29/2011 - lizeneca wrote: 94 Points
Decanted for about 3 hours. Thought this wine was incredible. Smelled liicorice, chocolate, floral, perfume, lavender, leather, just an intense depth of smell. Balanced, pear, chocolate and cedar taste. The tannins were soft initially but more noticeable on the finish - want a few more bottles of this so I can see how it evolves.
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3/7/2011 - kbarryuga wrote: 91 Points
Very good CDP but I would say it needs more time in the bottle, like 2-5 years.
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1/9/2010 - calgarywino wrote: 89 Points
Nicely drinking CDP. Dark purple in the glass; more oak than I would like but not overbearing. Ripe fruit and berries.
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12/13/2009 - TannicBeast wrote: 92 Points
Big, black ripe fruit. Good acidity and depth. Dense and chewy, with a big finish.
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4/29/2009 - LPskeleton wrote: 91 Points
consumed at trade tasting, no note taken
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3/16/2009 - polimeri wrote: 92 Points
Specs - Southern Rhone Tasting 2009 (L'ALLIANCE FRANCAISE): Color was about the same as the single vineyard Gigondas bottles. The nose was more black and blue fruit with leather, tobacco, and cedar blended in. Aromatically very interesting. On the palate, I would guess this wine gets a little more oak than the previous bottles. It is not overdone, but slightly more noticeable even though I don't think Barruol uses any new oak on his CdP. This wine is a similar style to the other Saint Cosme offerings. Great balance and will continue to improve over the next 10-15yrs. 92pts.
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2/27/2009 - Phin wrote: 87 Points
Light body. Sweet high toned fruit with nutmeg. Tastes like thanksgiving. Not my style.
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11/14/2008 - Paul S wrote: 92 Points
St Cosme tasting (Wine What Else, Singapore): Dark purple colour. Nice nose, if just a llittle oak-dominant at first - butter and vanilla along with a really pure expression of sweet blackcurrant fruit. Really clean, elegant feel to the palate with lifting acidity and super-firm tannins backing up bright flavours of dark berries, black olives, roast meat, raisins and a touch of forest floor. Long, elegant finish, with a smoky charcoal character rounded the wine off. Very nice, but this needs lots of time.
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8/8/2008 - peternelson wrote: 89 Points
Winery: similar to 03, but lighter; dry herbs, dry t’s; accrochant t’s; coffee grounds.
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