2015 Gigondas Hominis Fides

The 2015 Gigondas Hominis Fides is another gorgeous wine. This cuvee comes from the lieu-dit of the same name which is located just down from the estate, just across the road from the le Claux vineyard. The soils here are sandier and more limestone-based, and the cuvee is from very old vine Grenache that was fermented with 100% whole clusters in oak tanks and aged in 20% new barrels. It offers gorgeous black raspberry and cassis fruits intermixed with notions of ground pepper, crushed flowers, graphite and loads of sandy/loamy/dried soils nuances. With full-bodied richness, gorgeous tannin quality and a texture that just glides over the palate, it’s going to benefit from 2-4 years of cellaring and keep for two decades. There’s just 100 cases produced. Louis Barruol’s Chateau de Saint Cosme is unquestionably one of the reference point estates in Gigondas, as well as the entire southern Rhône Valley. The estate lies just to the east of the village and covers 25 hectares, with 15 of those in Gigondas. He makes a classic Gigondas as well as four single vine releases from single vineyards located around the estate. The wines are not destemmed and aged mostly in older barrels, with a small portion in new barrels.

Bright violet. Heady blackberry, cassis, incense and spicecake aromas show outstanding clarity and pick up a smoky mineral nuance with aeration. Sweet and seamless in texture; deeply concentrated red and dark fruit liqueur, spicecake and lavender pastille flavors are given lift and spine by a core of juicy acidity. Blends richness and delicacy with a smooth hand and finishes extremely long and sweet, the pliant tannins adding shape and gentle grip. This wine looks to be one of the finest examples of Gigondas that I have ever experienced.

This has a very composed and linear feel to it with plenty of spicy dark plum fruits, mocha and graphite. The palate delivers a wealth of ripe, dark chocolate and blood plum flavor. Tannins frame it nicely. Best from 2020.