2021 Gigondas Le Claux

The 2021 Gigondas Le Claux is at eye level with the Hominis Fides from the same vintage. Powerful and refined, it bursts with intense ripe red fruits, followed by hints of blueberry and traces of cloves, cedar and licorice. This outstanding 2021 red is built around a massive tannic structure. Hence, don’t even think about opening a bottle before 2030, as it would be a terrible waste of what eventually will merge into a substantial Gigondas of pedigree and class.

The 2021 Gigondas Le Claux is elegant and refined, with medium-bodied richness and depth as well as ultra-fine tannins. It has an almost Pinot Noir-like quality in its ripe red fruits, spring flowers, camphor, and forest floor aromatics, and it has good concentration as well as length on the finish. As always, this single vineyard release is all Grenache that wasn't destemmed and was brought up in demi-muids. Unquestionably one of the top estates in the Southern Rhône (not just Gigondas), Château de Saint Cosme is run by the incredibly talented and driven Louis Barruol. There are a number of smaller cuvées, all of which are impeccably made, but clearly, the focus is on the Gigondas releases, which are not destemmed and are brought up in larger barrels. The Classic Gigondas is always roughly 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and the rest Mourvèdre and Cinsault, and the three single vineyards are all 100% Grenache. Readers can expect to see the current Côtes Du Rhône whites (Hominis Fides Blanc and Le Poste Blanc) released under the Gigondas appellation starting in 2023.

Brilliant violet color. Displays pungent, mineral- and spice-accented cherry, black raspberry, potpourri and licorice aromas, along with hints of savory herbs, vanilla and incense. Chewy and tightly focused on the palate, offering bitter cherry, dark berry and Moroccan spice flavors that unfurl slowly through the back half. It closes with firm tension, chewy tannins and excellent tenacity, leaving resonating cherry and floral notes behind. All barriques, a third of them new.