Single-Owner Private Collection of Fine Wines from South Africa, Bordeaux, Rhône Valley, Italy, Spain and more….
Timed Online Auction, 27 June - 15 July 2024
Rhone
ZAR 6 000
About this Item
Located in the heart of Gigondas, Saint Cosme is one of the oldest estates in the region with its winemaking dating back to Roman times. The estate has belonged to the Barruol family since 1490 and has passed through 14 generations. They have 15 hectares of old vines with an average age of 60 years and have been practicing organic viticulture since the 1970s. They established a negociant side to the business in 1997 whereby they produce wines from great terroirs and locations outside of Gigondas.
This lot consists of the following wines:
Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux 2012 - 2014 (3 x 750ml)
Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Poste 2012 - 2014 (3 x 750ml)
A field blend of 1.8 hectares old vine Grenache, in a lieu-dit named Le Claux, the vines were planted prior to 1902.
Le Claux is one of the estate’s top single-vineyard sites. The vineyard is characterized by very old Grenache vines, some over 100 years old, planted on limestone and sandy marl soils. These soils contribute significantly to the wine’s complexity and minerality.
Le Poste is one of the estate’s prestigious single-vineyard sites. The vineyard is planted on a limestone marl hillside, which imparts a distinct minerality to the wine. The vines are primarily Grenache, many of which are very old, contributing to the wine’s complexity and depth.
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux 2012:
‘Probably my favorite of the single vineyard releases (although, truthfully, I find the quality among the three almost indistinguishable), the 2012 Gigondas Le Claux has beautiful minerality to go with notions of black fruits, smoked herbs, graphite and liquid violets. A big, full-bodied Gigondas, it never puts a foot wrong, has building, polished tannin and a blockbuster finish that stays focused. Give it a couple years and enjoy bottles through 2032.’ - Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate, 96/100 (Jan 2015)
‘This has a gorgeous beam of pomegranate, red currant and damson plum fruit, coiled tightly for now. A snap of red licorice adds lift before tangy sanguine, iron, pepper and bay notes emerge on the finish. Exhibits terrific cut and length. Best from 2015 through 2025.’ – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 95/100 (Nov 2014)
‘Dark crimson. Opulent, polished, sweet blackberry aromas. Very sweet and purple somehow. Finishes a little green. Tastes as though a bit of make-up (new oak) was applied – well.’ – Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 16/20 (Nov 2013)
Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux 2013:
‘Another wine that doesn’t lack for structure, the 2013 Gigondas Le Claux (99% Grenache and 1% Syrah) offers lots of camphor, graphite, ground pepper and limestone-like minerality to go with a medium to full-bodied, very fresh, focused and elegant style on the palate. As with the Hominis Fides, it shows more tannic grip with time in the glass, and will benefit from short term cellaring.’ - Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate, 93/100 (Mar 2016)
‘Grippy, offering a core of macerated currant, blackberry and raspberry flavors in reserve, with mouthwatering notes of bay leaf, roasted alder, tar and ganache. This should be a winner when the elements pull together. Best from 2017 through 2027.’ - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 95/100 (Nov 2015)
‘Mid crimson. Quite evolved with light floral notes. Sweet and mouth filling although it could do with a little more savour. Finishes very sweet.’ - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 16.5/20 (Oct 2014)
Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux 2014:
‘Crisp black-plum and raspberry flavors are richly concentrated in this vibrant wine. It's bold and plush on the palate but lifted by fresh acidity and subtleties of tea leaf, violet and bramble. The finish is penetrating and dense, marked by ripe, persistent tannins. Beautiful already it's structured enough to improve through 2030 and hold further.’ – Anna Lee Iijima, Wine Enthusiast, 94/100 (May 2018)
‘One of the wines of the vintage from Gigondas, and I think the most complete of the three single vineyard releases from Saint Cosme, the 2014 Gigondas le Claux sports a medium ruby, semi-transparent color to go with a Pinot Noir-like bouquet of camphor, sweet cherries, dried flowers, forest floor and lots of minerality. Rich, medium to full-bodied, layered and with a terrific mid-palate and core of fruit, it won't be the longest-lived example of this cuvee, yet my money's on it drinking beautifully for at least another 8-10 years.’ - Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate, 94/100 (Dec 2016)
‘Intense, with lots of grip along the edges, as rosemary, tobacco and charcoal notes coil around the core of steeped plum, blackberry and red currant fruit. The long finish has a racy, minerally underpinning despite the heft. Shows terrific precision to the rusticity here. Best from 2018 through 2024.’ - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 94/100 (Sep 2016)
Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Poste 2012:
'Like the Hominis Fides, the 2012 Gigondas Le Poste is elegant, seamless and silky, all while not losing a beat with regards to power, richness and length. Sweet black and blue fruits, liquid violets, underbrush, tar and hints of chocolate all emerge from the glass, and it’s full-bodied on the palate, with serious mid-palate concentration and ample, yet silky tannin that frame the finish. Like the other top releases here, it’s approachable but will have 20 years of longevity.' - Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate, 96/100 (Jan 2015)
'Large-scaled, but with laserlike focus, this offers a stunningly pure beam of cassis, raspberry and blackberry flavors, showing cut and drive. Notes of chalk and iron, backed by violet and lavender, all drive through the mouthwatering, star anise–studded finish. Best from 2016 through 2030.' - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 96/100 (Nov 2014)
Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Poste 2013:
'Tasting like a top flight Pinot Noir, the 2013 Gigondas Le Poste is the most polished, elegant and silky in the lineup. Coming from a terraced vineyard that lies just behind the estate (three of the terraces are planted to red varieties, one terrace is planted to Cinsault). Like all of the single vineyards here, it’s almost all Grenache, was fermented with 100% whole clusters, and aged twelve months in small Burgundy barrels. Offering up notions of black currants, river rock, underbrush and dried Provencal herbs, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a layered, seamless texture and beautifully polished tannin that emerge on the finish. Still relatively backwards and reserved, it needs 2-3 years of cellaring and will drink well for a decade after that.' - Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate, 94/100 (Mar 2016)
'Packed yet backward, with a wall of roasted alder and juniper notes in front of the core of dense blackberry, black currant and fig compote flavors. Loads of singed bay leaf, dark pepper and leather accents course through the finish, with a long echo of bittersweet cocoa. Best from 2017 through 2027.' - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 96/100 (Feb 2015)
Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Poste 2014:
'I absolutely loved the 2014 Gigondas le Poste, and in this cooler, late vintage, it’s a resounding success. Always 100% Grenache from a steep hillside vineyard located near the domaine, it has a gorgeous perfume of lavender, rose petals, black raspberries and spring flowers. This gives way to a medium to full-bodied, supple, incredibly polished Gigondas that has beautiful purity, fine tannin and a great finish. Enjoy this elegant beauty anytime over the coming decade.' - Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate, 94/100 (Dec 2016)
'This has a succulent edge despite the vintage profile, with lovely raspberry, plum and boysenberry coulis flavors stretching out, picking up dried star anise, lightly singed alder and perfumy black tea notes. The long, fine-grained structure and lovely minerality linger through the finish. Shows remarkable refinement for the vintage. Drink now through 2024.' - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 95/100 (Sep 2016)
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