Saint CosmeGigondas Hominis Fides 2015

Fermented in concrete using indigenous yeasts, no destemming, aged in barriques, one third new. Deep, dark and intensely spicy. Very full-bodied, very concentrated fruit. There is also a shining beam of acidity and very fine, ample wet clay tannin. This is all very bound up in itself for now, but it’s perfectly balanced, spellbinding stuff. This is a decidedly modern, ambitious expression of Gigondas, but an utterly compelling one. Exceptional length. Gigondas haute-couture.

"That the 2015 Gigondas Hominis Fides is a great wine is undeniable; the question merely becomes, How great is it? Flowering garrigue and licorice notes start things off, followed by raspberries and dried spices, phenomenal concentration and length. It might show a touch of warmth on the finish, but by then I was writing in my notes "Who cares?" followed by joy-filled expletives."

"This has a packed core of red and black currant preserves and crushed plum fruit, inlaid liberally with lavender, juniper, bay leaf and tobacco notes. Lots of grippy bittersweet cocoa and licorice root accents score the finish, which is seriously long. A brick house. Best from 2020 through 2040. 215 cases made."

The 2015 Gigondas Hominis Fides is another gorgeous wine. This cuvee comes from the lieudit of the same name which is located just down from the estate, just across the road from the le Claux vineyard. The soils here are sandier and more limestone-based, and the cuvee is from very old vine Grenache that was fermented with 100% whole clusters in oak tanks and aged in 20% new barrels. It offers gorgeous black raspberry and cassis fruits intermixed with notions of ground pepper, crushed flowers, graphite and loads of sandy/loamy/dried soils nuances. With full-bodied richness, gorgeous tannin quality and a texture that just glides over the palate, it is going to benefit from 2-4 years of cellaring and keep for two decades. There is just 100 cases produced.

Bright violet. Heady blackberry, cassis, incense and spicecake aromas show outstanding clarity and pick up a smoky mineral nuance with aeration. Sweet and seamless in texture; deeply concentrated red and dark fruit liqueur, spicecake and lavender pastille flavors are given lift and spine by a core of juicy acidity. Blends richness and delicacy with a smooth hand and finishes extremely long and sweet, the pliant tannins adding shape and gentle grip. This wine looks to be one of the finest examples of Gigondas that I have ever experienced.