March 31, 2024 - Had this alongside a 2014 Cayuse, with an Easter leg of lamb (perfect match, by the way). I expected this to be overshadowed by the Cayuse, but it really wasn't. In fact, the two were strikingly similar. The nose and taste of both wines practically screamed SYRAH. Neither wine was nearly as funky as I might have expected. The Cayuse was slightly bigger and slightly richer, but this was no slouch in either department. Has years to go.
May 12, 2023 - Round 2 - not quite as charming. Quite nice, soft, elegant but maybe a little weak. There’s also a slight bitter savouriness on the back end. I decanted this one for longer than the last (about 3 hrs), maybe it’s better off a shorter decant. Although there may’ve been a bit of bottle fault, this was part of a batch which wasn’t stored brilliantly.
February 13, 2023 - Saint Cosme is famous for its estate vineyards in Gigondas but they are also a highly regarded negociant with long standing relationships throughout the Rhone, giving them access to fruit from some highly regarded lieu-dits. Their Cote Rotie is no exception and this was a killer expression of 2014, if you’re into that sort of thing like I am. This bottle was provided from my cellar and was purchased upon release. Opened and splash decanted just before service. No formal notes and holy whole cluster Batman! This was straight up bussin, with rotundone for dayz! A black pepper and olive bomb with all of the garrigue and purple flowers your heart could ask for and some blood and bacon for good measure. The tannins are well integrated and the fruit is just really well balanced with the structure at this point. The finish was long with a dance of fruit and earth on the palate that was hugely satisfying. Some might be turned off by the sanguine, feral funkiness this wine possesses but for me, it’s hugely charming. Drink now or over the next 5-10 years with ease. Would be great with a meal or on its own (as it was tonight).
December 25, 2022 - Maybe I just love Cote Rotie but I liked this a lot. Smokey blackcurrent and all the meatiness. Medium bodied, decent length. Secondary developments. We had this against a 2019 Cote Rotie (better vintage) but I preferred this.
November 26, 2022 - Liquorice & blackberry seasoned with spice and black pepper. Vanilla, toast and menthol notes creep in too, It’s both fresh and savoury with a silky texture and soft tannins. The finish was long and the various constituents fully integrated. For a supposedly difficult vintage this was effortless and impressive. 91 pts
April 22, 2020 - Quite spicy and almost too harsh and acidic on the palate after a three hour decant. Probably too young to drink but I'm no expert on Cote Rotie. Have one left so will park that for a few years and check back. Not to my taste at this stage.
December 30, 2019 - Of course this needs more cellar time to peak, but was very good now with a couple hour decant. Will probably buy another bottle or two to hold.
August 31, 2018 - Un nez de Syrah sans être le plus expressif, floral et un peu de bois au nez. Pas la bouche la plus puissante, une belle fraîcheur, des tannins présents mais sans dureté, une belle finale mais à peine une petite astringence. Prix correct pour un Côte Rotie mais loin de la classe des grands. 90-91
February 26, 2018 - Saint Cosme er vel mer kjent for sine særegne og referanseviner fra Gigondas men de lager også viner fra blant annet Cote-Rotie og Crozes-Hermitage.
Denne vinen leverer en seriøs, litt tung nese med konsentrerte mørkere røde bær med knekk mot modne solbær, saftige plommer, og med et hint av velhengt kjøtt. Det er et delikat aromabilde dette!
På paletten er vinen relativt fyldig med mørkere røde bær der kirsebær, plommer, og bålrøyk dominerer. Årgangens litt kjølige uttrykk kommer fram i form av einer som faller godt inn på den behagelige siden. Tanninene er faste de, men er pent integrert i vinen som har en fin syre også. Vinen mangler kanskje det lille særpreget som de helt store vinene fra Cote-Rotie har, men jeg synes dette er en god vin. Idag er det ikke lett å finne viner fra Cote-Rotie til en bra pris, så dette er en vin å vurdere.
June 1, 2017 - Opened way too young, so a bit hard to rate. Dense and monolithic. Blue fruit and pepper, with notable minerality, almost saline. Wait 3+ years.