The remarkable Chateau de St-Cosme, owned and managed by Louis Barruol. St-Cosme is one of the most sought after Southern Rhone estates. Louis is one of the leading lights of the new generation of Rhone winemakers; his wines are expressive, age-worthy and despite critical adulation remain great value.
The remarkable Chateau de St-Cosme, owned and managed by Louis Barruol. St-Cosme is one of the most sought after Southern Rhone estates. Louis is one of the leading lights of the new generation of Rhone winemakers; his wines are expressive, age-worthy and despite critical adulation remain great value – a combination that has won over Rhone aficionados around the world. Robert Parker describes the “young, talented” Barruol as a creator of the “quintessence of Gigondas”.
After a classical university course, Louis was taught winemaking and viticulture by his experienced father. Louis adopted traditional techniques of long, slow maceration, natural yeast, barrel fermentation, and bottling wines unfiltered for maximum flavor and intensity. He has a passion for working with old vines, cultivating extremely small yields, and waiting patiently for full ripening and flavor development. Barruol's wines are age-worthy and powerful, fully expressing the terroir of the historic Rhône region.
Robert Parker: The 2006 Gigondas, which one would call Tradition or Classique, looks to eclipse the 2005. Dense black cherry fruit and cassis, a deep ruby/purple color, floral black cherry and blackberry fruit notes, with plenty of tannin, good acidity, and freshness characterize this wine, which is structured and potentially long-lived. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020+. 90-92 Points.
Andrew Jefford: The ambitious and articulate Louis Barruol is one of the new stars of the Southern Rhone – and of the Northern Rhone too, since the wines he has signed from Condrieu and Cote Rotie are also superb. Grace, purity and singing fruit are three of the Barruol hallmarks; it is almost as if he is making Gigondas (always a potentially bruising wine) in the spirit of Cote Rotie itself. The Cotes du Rhone “Les Deux Albion” is a masterpiece of floral enchantment when young (this wine includes 10% Clairette); even Barruoul’s celebrated prestige Gigondas Valbelle has an almost pinot-like aromatic finesse, with beautifully restrained oak influence. The New France.