Gigondas Valbelle 2016

Château de Saint Cosme is the leading estate of Gigondas and produces the benchmark wines of the appellation. The property has been in the hands of the Barruol family since 1570. Louis Barruol took over from his father in 1992 making a dramatic shift to quality and converting to biodynamics in 2010.

The estate lies in the heart of Gigondas where 15 hectares of vineyard grow in the shade of the Dentelles de Montmirail mountain. In addition to the estate-grown wines labeled “Château de Saint Cosme,” Louis Barruol buys grapes from contracted growers, labeling these “négociant” wines simply as “Saint Cosme.”

Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas Valbelle is a co-fermented cuvée of old vines with an average vine age of 80-years and from five different vineyards: Hautes Garrigues, imparting ripeness and intensity; Le Travers, power and length; Les Sables, elegance and depth; Le Grand Plantier, finesse and aromatics; and Bermèze, freshness and color. The wine is 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah, and aged in 20% new 228-liter barrels.

Tasting Notes

Old vines bring intensity and concentration of aroma and flavor to this wine without diminishing its finesse. Aromas and flavors of wild raspberry, licorice, accented with notes of white pepper, anise, and violets. Valbelle is only produced in top vintages and is intended for long aging in a cool cellar.

Food Pairing

Grenache is the pale-colored, red-fruited, and potpourri-scented red grape variety of the southern Rhône and can be paired with both rustic and sophisticated dishes. Full-bodied Grenache-based wines are ideal with stews, braises, and grilled meats, while lighter versions can work well with dark fish and tomato-based dishes such as ratatouille.

Vineyard & Production Info

Production area/appellation:

Gigondas

Vineyard size:

4 acres

Soil composition:

Calcareous and Sand

Training method:

Gobelet

Elevation:

990 feet

Vines/acre:

1320

Yield/acre:

0.5 tons

Harvest time:

Beginning of October

First vintage of this wine:

1993

Bottles produced of this wine:

2,600

Winemaking & Aging

Varietal composition:

90% Grenache, 10% Syrah

Fermentation container:

Cement vats

Length of alcoholic fermentation:

7 days

Maceration technique:

Pumpovers and Pigeages

Length of maceration:

30 days

Malolactic fermentation:

Yes

Fining agent:

None

Type of aging container:

Barrels

Size of aging container:

228 Liters

Age of aging container:

New

Length of aging before bottling:

12 months