94 Points Jeb Dunnuck - More granite-like aromas and flavors emerge from the 2019 Saint Joseph, which offers impressive depth of fruit, medium to full body, ripe tannins, and bright, focused acidity. With lots of smoked game, red and blue fruits, obvious minerality, and outstanding length, you could do much worse than having a case of this in the cellar.
92 Points Wine Advocate - Saint Cosme's 2019 Saint Joseph features alluring scents of baking spices, roasted meat, black cherries and black olives—it's a lovely, aromatic offering. In the mouth, it's medium to full-bodied, silky and fine, with those ripe tannins and balanced acids imparting a sense of freshness and vitality that persists through the elegant finish. Sourced from granite terroirs at the northern end of the appellation, it's easily the equal of some producers' Côte Rôties.
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 1490. 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.”
Saint Cosme Saint-Joseph is produced from 100% Sérine, an ancient and local variety of Syrah that is markedly different from modern selections. It is more oval, with lots of space in the bunch, resulting in a very aromatic wine. It is sourced from the climat Malleval in the northern part of the appellation near Condrieu. The wine is made from 70% destemmed with 30% whole clusters, fermented with indigenous yeasts, and aged in 20% new 228-liter barrels.
Tasting Notes - Louis Barruol describes the microclimate of the vineyard Malleval as “very cold” which allows the grapes to retain acidity and showcase the floral aromas of the local Sérine variety. Aromas and flavors of blackberries and wild strawberries are accented by notes of peppercorns, tobacco, peonies, and violets.
Food Pairing - Syrah, with its deep flavors and firm tannins, is a natural match for grilled or smoked meat and dishes featuring herbs, roasted mushrooms, and onions. Seared venison or beef with black pepper and thyme or a Moroccan tagine of pigeon or chicken are complimented by the spicy characteristic of Syrah.
