2012 Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas Les Claux
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Tasting notes
Bright violet color. Pungent black and blue fruit aromas open with air, taking on suave floral and Indian spice character. Stains the palate with sweet blackberry and boysenberry flavors that become more lively with air. This extremely youthful Gigondas finishes with serious power, velvety tannins and a whiplash of sweet dark fruit.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
Probably my favorite of the single vineyard releases (although, truthfully, I find the quality among the three almost indistinguishable), the 2012 Gigondas Le Claux has beautiful minerality to go with notions of black fruits, smoked herbs, graphite and liquid violets. A big, full-bodied Gigondas, it never puts a foot wrong, has building, polished tannin and a blockbuster finish that stays focused. Give it a couple years and enjoy bottles through 2032.
Opaque ruby. An intensely perfumed bouquet presents candied dark berries, incense, lavender and olive tapenade, along with a bright mineral overtone. Sweet, penetrating blackberry and cherry compote flavors show outstanding depth and clarity, with a spicy quality gaining strength in the glass. Finishes smooth, smoky and very long, with solid tannins adding grip. This one is built for the cellar.
Dark crimson. Opulent, polished, sweet blackberry aromas. Very sweet and purple somehow. Finishes a little green. Tastes as though a bit of make-up (new oak) was applied – well. (JR)