(ST. COSME Cotes du Rhone) Party Dear Friends, I'm going to go overboard below so I'm warning you in advance - I can also tell you the verbose comments are not marketing speak - the wine is so good for the tarriff that it's almost like fake wine (it isn't). This is probably a bit too much hoopla for a Monday, but it was now or never. If Cote Rotie prices have you in a funk, you may want to pay special attention here... You always ask me for large format at cheap prices (for the holidays or other) but magnums of quality just do not come in the $25-30 range. I've found a few lately (the Morgante was one) but the exchange rate has made it almost impossible. Magnums can cost twice as much to ship as 750mls from Europe so the wine has to be really worth it to bother - in this case, the wine itself is so good the price is almost irrelevant. In brief, the 2007 vintage in the Rhone and Provence was fantastic in certain sub-zones (especially the Syrah-based wines and the whites) - the vintage was completely the opposite of Bordeaux and the long, warm, even growing season produced fragrant and spice-laden wines that will really spin your head (a la Linda Blair). I've found one laugh out loud example after another but this is one of the best for the price - it really knocked me for a loop . Maybe I was seduced by the hot fermentation and massive extract but in a party setting or at a dinner where old and new-world need to mingle side by side, you can indeed have both - the 2007 St. Cosme Cotes du Rhone. As good as it is in 750ml, it's even better in magnum (I've tried both). Once people taste this wine, it is going to be requested at every local wine shop in the country - it's just too good for the price. You will see a plethora of 750s out there but not the magnums. This is a special run of large format that they've agreed to bottle for us from their best material and the wine inside is "get out of the way" good. It is so dense, deep-toned, purple and tooth staining that the phrase Cotes du Rhone really doesn't apply here - it's more like 100% Syrah Hermitage jr with a modern twist (although there is no oak). For the tarriff, this represents one of the finest buys of the season, especially with such a Syrah-heavy example. Yes, you can buy two 750mls for less than this (we had them for less - they are sold out) but the magnums are so much fun and the juice inside is the deepest they had in 2007 (which is scary). I generally try not to push you into acquiring too much of one item (I believe spreading your purchases around makes sense) but I'm fairly sure this is one of those wines you are going to wish you had in reserve - waiting to titillate those that partake of your generosity. I'm probably going overboard regarding a wine at this price level but I can't imagine another quasi-bargain magnum that would be more appealing to a wide range of tasters. In addition, I don't think this has been reviewed yet but that's probably a good thing (or availability would be even tighter). I'm sure you can find other opinions out there that will sing the same song as I am, so do whatever research you need to... VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - VERY RARE IN MAGNUM (only one run of magnums available - they are already sold out of the 2007) 2007 St. Cosme Cotes du Rhone 1.5lt Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Rhone8988
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By Campbell Mattinson
(Saint Cosme Cotes-du-Rhone) Login and subscribe to see review text.11/11/2009, (See more on The WINEFRONT...)