2006 Valbelle has the characteristic blackberry, blueberry, spice, violet, and minerality of the Gigondas appellation. This wine has been rated very highly: The 2001 vintage received a 94 from Robert Parker, and the 2003 vintage received a 95! This wine ranks with some of the greatest wines in the world.
"How many times have I written about a once uninspiring estate or producer shifting gears, largely because a member of the younger generation took charge and propelled the estate into the top echelon of high quality producers? St.-Cosme is another example of a young, passionate vignerons, in this case Louis Barruol, not only resurrecting the fortunes of the estate’s vineyards in Gigondas, but starting a high quality, limited production negociant business that is doing stunning work throughout the Rhone Valley. Like many of his generation, he is a forward-looking owner who knows he has magical terroirs, but also realizes that the glories of the Rhone are extensive, and many vineyards where the fruit was sold to cooperatives possess ancient vines, fine terroirs, and the potential to create something special in the hands of a dedicated winemaker. Barruol is certainly fulfilling his desire to be one of the best of his generation. One of the glorious things about this firm is their negociant line, called simply St.-Cosme, that includes so many extraordinary values, not to mention some profound wines at the top end." Robert Parker