Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas 2022 750ml

Product Info

92pts Wine Advocate
The 2023 Gigondas from Château de Saint-Cosme is especially promising, bursting with aromas of ripe black raspberries, red plums, garrigue, licorice and incense. Medium- to full-bodied, supple and fleshy, it’s rich without excess, with a layered core of fruit, powdery tannins and a bright, saline finish that lends a sense of energy and poise. As always, it’s a blend of multiple terroirs—limestone, marl and sandy soils—which lend the cuvée both depth and aromatic range. This will offer a great drinking window, but a few years in bottle will only enhance its complexity. Drink Date: 2025 – 2035 Published: Oct 16, 2025 Reviewed by: Yohan Castaing

Terroir
Domaine de Saint Cosme is one of the historic reference points of Gigondas, with vineyards rooted in the rugged, elevated landscapes at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail. The estate’s parcels span a mosaic of terroirs, but the heart of the wine comes from hillside vineyards marked by limestone, marl, and sandy clay, soils that combine drainage with water retention—crucial in Gigondas’ warm Mediterranean climate. Vines are planted at moderate to higher elevations relative to much of the southern Rhône, where cooler nighttime temperatures help preserve acidity and aromatic definition. Old-vine Grenache plays a central role, drawing deeply from the fractured limestone substrata, which imparts a distinctive mineral tension beneath the wine’s natural power.

The 2022 vintage was warm and dry, yet remarkably successful across Gigondas for producers with well-situated vineyards. Saint Cosme’s sites benefitted from wind exposure and altitude, allowing grapes to reach full phenolic ripeness without sacrificing balance. The result is a wine that reflects the generosity of the vintage while maintaining freshness, structure, and a clear sense of place.

Winemaking & Technical Notes
Saint Cosme’s approach marries Rhône tradition with a precise, almost Burgundian sensitivity to texture and balance. The Gigondas is led primarily by Grenache, complemented by Syrah and Mourvèdre, each fermented separately to preserve varietal character. Fermentations are carried out with native yeasts, with careful extraction that emphasizes infusion over force. The estate is known for avoiding excessive manipulation, allowing tannins to build naturally from skins rather than aggressive cap management. Aging takes place largely in large, neutral oak vessels, preserving purity of fruit and terroir expression while subtly rounding the wine’s structure.

The philosophy is clear: power is inherent in Gigondas; elegance must be earned through restraint.

Tasting Notes
The 2022 Saint Cosme Gigondas opens with an immediately expressive yet composed aromatic profile. Ripe black cherry, blackberry, and dark raspberry lead, framed by classic southern Rhône signatures of garrigue, cracked pepper, dried thyme, and lavender. As the wine opens, deeper notes of licorice root, black olive, and warm stone emerge, alongside a subtle iron-tinged minerality that hints at the limestone beneath the vines.

On the palate, the wine is full-bodied but impressively controlled. The fruit profile leans dark and savory rather than sweet—black plum, mulberry, and cherry compote—balanced by a firm spine of acidity that keeps the wine lifted. Tannins are abundant yet finely textured, coating the palate without heaviness, giving the wine both immediate appeal and serious aging potential.

What distinguishes the 2022 is its sense of proportion. Despite the warmth of the vintage, the wine never feels overripe or ponderous. Savory elements—black pepper, smoked herbs, dried bay leaf, and a faint meaty umami note—interweave seamlessly with the fruit, creating depth and complexity rather than sheer power.

The finish is long, persistent, and distinctly Gigondas: dry, structured, and mineral, with lingering notes of dark fruit skin, spice, and sun-warmed stone. It leaves an impression of strength held firmly in check.

Food Pairing & Service
This Gigondas thrives alongside bold, rustic cuisine that mirrors its intensity and savory depth. Ideal pairings include grilled lamb with rosemary and garlic, braised short ribs, duck confit, or wild game dishes seasoned with Mediterranean herbs. It also performs beautifully with hearty vegetable preparations, such as lentils with herbs, mushroom stews, or roasted root vegetables. Serve at 60–64°F (15–18°C) in a large-bowled glass. Decanting for 45–60 minutes is recommended in its youth to allow the aromatics to fully unfurl and the tannins to soften.

While approachable now with air, the 2022 Saint Cosme Gigondas is built for longevity and should evolve gracefully over 10–15 years, developing tertiary notes of leather, dried fig, forest floor, and spice while retaining its structural backbone.