2018 Gigondas Hominis Fides

The 2018 Gigondas Hominis Fides is another huge success for the team at Saint Cosme, boasting complex aromas of roses, dusty earth, cigar box, asphalt and dark fruit. The plums and black cherries expand on the full-bodied palate, sweeping across in supple waves of flavor without ever becoming overbearing, buoyed by notes of cracked pepper and anise, then finishing in silky pools of lingering flavor.

One of the wines of the vintage, 2018 Gigondas Hominis Fides comes from a single parcel of old vines planted in more limestone/sandy soils not far from the estate (it’s just across the street from the Le Claux lieu-dit). This dense purple/ruby hued beauty boasts a sensational bouquet of ripe black raspberries, mulled cherries, black licorice, loamy soil, and a kiss of camphor, as well as plenty of peppery herb-like nuances. With full-bodied richness, it hits the palate with a seamless, elegant texture, no hard edges, building tannins and one seriously good finish. It’s not a powerhouse like the 2007 or 2016, yet has incredible finesse as well as purity of fruit and length. It benefits from a quick decant and is guaranteed to put a smile on your face any time over the coming 15+ years. Always one of my favorite tastings in the Rhône is with Château de Saint Cosme’s Louis Barruol and this feisty, talented, and passionate vigneron makes some of the best wines in France. The estate is located just outside the village of Gigondas and the lineup has been simplified today to include a classic Gigondas and three single vineyards. The wines are all made in the same fashion, with no destemming and aging in just about 100% used barrels, so what you get is a clean expression of each of the vineyards. Looking at the 2018s, these are undoubtedly more plush, soft, charming wines, yet they are still going to benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and should evolve beautifully. The 2019s look to be on another level, and my money is on this being another truly special vintage from this estate. These are gorgeous wines across the board, and I certainly have plenty in my personal cellar.

95% Grenache, 5% Syrah. Aged in oak (30% new). Tank sample. Tasted blind. Surly teenage tannins make the palate very tough, although there is ample fruit ripeness and well-integrated oak spice too. Time is the missing dimension to achieve balance. (RH)