2011 Gigondas Hominis Fides

The richest and most textured of the 2011s, the 2011 Gigondas Hominis Fides comes all from sandy soils located just down from the domaine. Black raspberry, forest floor, exotic spices, crushed flowers and dusty minerality all flow from this gorgeously put together Gigondas. Showing the silkiness and elegance that’s imparted from sandy soils, it has fantastic concentration, polished tannin and rock star length. Certainly, one of the greatest wines in the vintage (and I’ll include the entire southern Rhone in that comparison), it will continue to evolve for 3-4 years and hold for 10-15 years after that. Without a doubt, the leading estate in Gigondas is Louis Barruol’s Chateau Saint-Cosme. Located just outside the village, he releases an assortment of world class Gigondas, as well as a number of value priced, negotiate-styled Cotes du Rhone efforts that always deliver high-quality (these are normally released under his Saint-Cosme label and do not say Chateau Saint-Cosme). Both 2011 and 2012 are incredibly strong here and readers should not miss these wines! The three single vineyard releases are basically 100% Grenache, from unique terroirs, that are brought up all in Burgundy barrels, 30% being new, 40% 1-year-old and the balance 2-3-year old. In addition to these wines, I review a number of Barruol’s northern Rhone releases in Issue 210 as well, and covered his Chateauneuf du Papes in Issue 209. Importer: Country Vintners, Ashland, VA; tel. (804) 752-3670

Opaque ruby. Ripe blackberry and cherry on the intensely perfumed nose, with hints of anise and lavender adding complexity. Sappy black and blue fruit flavors show impressive depth and a supple, velvety texture. Finishes sweet and precise, with noteworthy persistence and slow-building tannins.