Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux 2016 (750ML)

99 JD / 97 WS / 96 DE / 96 VM / 96 JS / 95 WA

Starting off the single vineyard releases, the 2016 Gigondas Le Claux is legendary Gigondas in the making. Incredibly elegant and finesse-driven, it boasts a deep ruby/purple color to go with incredibly floral notes of camphor, dried earth, black currants, and spice. This Burgundian beauty boasts full-bodied richness, a deep, layered, heavenly mouthfeel, building tannins, and again, an incredible floral quality. I absolutely love it. - Jeb Dunnuck

This offers a range of sage, savory and bay leaf aromas followed by crushed black cherry, bitter plum and red currant fruit, all supported by racy, mouthwatering chalky cut. Dense, but fresh and well-defined throughout. Long finish. Best from 2020 through 2040. 250 cases made.
–JM, Wine Spectator

Plot selection, with no destemming, and maturation in barriques, 30% new. An altogether darker, more brooding, earthy style than Saint Cosme's extraordinary Hominis Fides. Again, the oak is apparent - even more so here - but the fruit can hold its own. Full-bodied and dense in fruit, this is very tannic but also has the fruit, acidity and alcohol to last. It will be a delicious, complex and structured wine, when it is eventually ready. - Matt Walls, Decanter

Opaque, bright-hued crimson. Deep-pitched, expansive black raspberry, cherry liqueur, candied licorice, lavender and exotic spice aromas show outstanding definition and mineral-driven lift. Powerful, alluringly sweet red and dark berry, floral pastille, spicecake and cola flavors convey a suave blend of richness and energy thanks to a core of juicy acidity. Chewy, steadily building tannins lend shape to a strikingly long, mineral- and floral-driven finish that emphatically echoes the cherry and spice notes. - Josh Raynolds, Vinous Media

Suave pepper and graphite with a very composed, youthful array of dark plums. Spicy and alluring. The palate has impressive density and depth with a powerful core of fine, noble tannins. Super deep finish. This is terrific! From organically grown grapes. Drink in 2020. - James Suckling

All Grenache, the 2016 Gigondas le Claux comes from a parcel of vines planted around 1880. It's got an incredibly floral and tea-like nose, followed by expressive red berries, even fraises des bois. Full-bodied, silky and long, it manages to be an epic wine, not for its power but for its elegance, finesse and complexity. - JC, Wine Advocate