Saint Cosme, Gigondas Valbelle

Saint Cosme, Gigondas ValbelleThe 2003 Gigondas Cuvee Valbelle is a blend of 90% Grenache, and the balance Syrah, that was aged in 50% new French oak. A big, ripe, full bodied effort that holds everything together, it gives up notions of black plums, blackberries and cassis to go with pepper, cured meats and roasted herbs. Possessing rock solid, mid palate depth and a core of sweet fruit, its drinking at point, but should have a gradual evolution over the coming 4 5 years. The

viognier and dried orange peel on the white peach and citrus blossom aromas

The 2007 Alabaster came from pre-phylloxera vines yielding a miniscule half ton of fruit per acre

This is terrific and should make for great old bones if anyone has the patience to wait

The first foot-trodden vintage

(from vines over 50 years of age)

A surprisingly high-toned nose of cranberry and raspberry trimmed in a bit of warm earth introduces very forward yet precise flavors that are quite round and supple yet deliver excellent authority and impressive depth on the balanced and lingering finish

The backward and serious character of the red 2020 El Tamboril Tinto shows the backward character of this place

then finishes dry and tannic

This could use better depth but more should reasonably develop if given a chance and my rating assumes that it will

this medium bodied Pomerol offers chocolate mint

from a parcel near the bottom of Clos St

A rich and dense wine with lots of dried fruits and a slight waxiness