2004 Chateau de St. Cosme Saint-Joseph

Louis Barruol works in a cooler, later-ripening corner of Gigondas, to the north of the village, where he excels in precise, modern-style wines. St. Cosme, established in 1416, is actually the oldest extant estate in the appellation. But Barruol isn't held back by tradition in crafting his wines. His Grenache is aged much like Pinot Noir, with minimal racking, and it gets more structure from the inclusion of about 20% Syrah. He's also now making excellent negociant wines from the northern Rhône appellations of Côte Rôtie and Condrieu.

Louis Barruol works in a cooler, later-ripening corner of Gigondas, to the north of the village, where he excels in precise, modern-style wines. St. Cosme, established in 1416, is actually the oldest extant estate in the appellation. But Barruol isn't held back by tradition in cra... more