Gigondas Le Claux 2018 Château de Saint Cosme

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
96/100 punten
From a single parcel of old-vine Grenache, the 2018 Gigondas le Claux matured in a mix of new, one- and two-year-old barrels. Full-bodied, rich and expansive, it combines notes of black cherries, roses, black tea and asphalt with vanilla and hints of cigar box. Ripe, supple and velvety, it's a seductive example of Gigondas that should drink well for more than a decade.

From one of Gigondas's top producers, I guess it should be no surprise that this year's lineup is flat-out terrific. The single-parcel wines from 2018 are among the best I've tasted here, managing to combine remarkable intensity with seductive, approachable textures. These are wines that are delicious now, yet appear capable of drinking well for more than a decade. And don't overlook the Côtes du Rhône offerings from proprietor Louis Barruol, which continue to offer outstanding value.

Wine Enthusiast
97/100 Punten
Le Claux is sourced from a Grenache-dominant field blend, with vines dating back to 1870. Vinified in whole clusters and matured in 20% new oak, it's a penetrating, finessed wine that juxtaposes rippling black cherry and boysenberry flavors against veins of crushed salt, licorice and smoke. Chalky tannins and a spray of violet perfume a long finish. It's stunning in youth but should improve through 2035.

Jancis Robinson:
16.5+/20 Punten
Tasted blind. Chocolate, baked cherries and savoury spice. Pretty aggressive tannic punch on the palate. Needs time to coax out the complexity and relax the astringency

Wine Spectator
95/100 Punten
Quite ripe, with waves of warmed plum sauce and blackberry preserves rolling through, wrapped liberally with licorice root, sage and lavender notes. Iron minerality runs through the finish, letting the fruit and savory notes meld wonderfully. Built for the cellar.

Jeb Dunnuck
95/100 Punten
Coming from a site just across the road from the Hominis Fides vineyard, the 2018 Gigondas Le Claux was not destemmed and brought up mostly in used, larger barrels. Beautifully Provençal notes of black raspberries, camphor, flowery incense, and peppery spice and emerge from the glass and this beauty is reminds me of a Grand Cru Red Burgundy on the palate with its seamless, elegant, layered texture. It’s not a blockbuster like the 2016 and 2017 yet shines for its complex aromatics and flawless balance. It also has more than enough structure to evolve for two decades