2001 Château de Saint Cosme Châteauneuf-du-Pape
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Tasting notes
One of the top sleeper picks from Chateauneuf du Pape in 2001 is the St.-Cosme offering. A blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvedre, nearly all from two sectors of Chateauneuf du Pape, one on sand and one on the rocks, is a superb 4,000-bottle cuvee that was aged in one and two-year old barrels. It possesses a deep ruby/purple color as well as a gorgeous perfume of sweet black truffles, licorice, blackberry liqueur, kirsch, and smoke. Full-bodied, with an unctuous texture, impressive purity, and a tremendously long finish, this is a sensational effort. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2015. Importer: a Patrick Lesec Selection, various American importers, including Stacole Fine Wines, Boca Raton, FL; tel. (561) 998-0039, Classic Wines, Boston, MA; tel. (617) 469-5799; Fine Vines LLC, Maywood, IL; tel. (708) 343-5901; Associated Wine Distributors, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-8048; and Vintage ’59 Imports, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 966-9218
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Red-ruby. Sexy, superripe aromas of roasted plum, tobacco, spicecake and pepper. Sweet, thick and pliant, with impressive concentration and extract. A big, ripe, warm wine with spice and tobacco flavors. Finishes quite long, with ripe, oak-enhanced tannins.
(14.8% alcohol; Barruol's first vintage for this negociant wine; based on 60% mourvedre from Crau; malo and elevage in three-year-old barrels) Full deep ruby. Very ripe but vibrant aromas of blackberry, blueberry, licorice and flowers. Huge and thick, with sappy, slightly roasted flavors of crystallized black fruits, mocha and spices. A Chateauneuf of impressive density and volume, as well as powerful structure; shows almost port-like surmaturite yet maintains shape and lift. Builds inexorably on the back end. This is more massive than the 2001 Gigondas Valbelle but not more complex. May well need a good decade of bottle aging.