Château de Saint Cosme Les Deux Albion Principauté d'Orange 2023
A unique and refreshing white blend showing crystalline purity and elegance with beautifully expressive aromas of dried apricot, lime, floral blossom and mango.
The vines were planted in 2014 in the limestone terroir of Saint Martin, notably with massale selection vines from Condrieu and Hermitage. The area of Saint Martin had previously been abandoned because the active limestone levels in the soils, which are the highest in the region and even higher than Gigondas, made it very difficult to grow vines. The estate-produced compost was added to the soils restoring the balance, returning them back to life and making them suitable once again for viticulture. In white wines this high limestone content imbues wines with sought-after characteristics such as energy, crystallinity, elegance, lightness and evanescence. The vineyards are certified organic.
Fermentation took place with wild, indigenous yeasts: 30% in demi-muids, 30% in small barrels and 40% in vats. The wine was then matured in the same combination of demimuids, barrels and vats, with each size imparting subtle layers of complexity to the wine.
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Alcoholic strength | 13.5% |
| Country | France |
| Region | Rhône |
| Subregion | Principauté d'Orange |
| Grapes | Picpoul Blanc 30%, Marsanne 20%, Clairette 6%, Ugni Blanc 6%, Bourboulenc 5%, Saint Côme 3% |
| Dry/Sweet value | 1 |
| Contains sulphites | Yes |
| Vegetarian | Yes |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Milk | No |
| Eggs | No |
| Organic | Yes |
| Biodynamic | No |
| Closure | Cork |
Steeped in history, Château de Saint Cosme is nestled in the southern Rhône appellation of Gigondas and has been in the Barruol family for over 500 years. In 1992, fourteenth generation winemaker, Louis Barroul took over the reins of the estate from his father. Today, he is one of the most highly respected winemakers in the Rhône Valley and is affectionately referred to by fellow winemakers of the region as the ‘Genius of Gigondas’. With great determination and flair, he showcases the great potential of the Gigondas terroir with his outstanding parcellaire cuvées from individual old-vine vineyard plots. The estate has great geological diversity, as it is exceptionally located at the crosspoint of two geological faults, which is very rare. Over the years, Louis has also established his own ‘negoce’ wines, seeking out the spirit of soils and vineyards, working painstakingly with small batch fermentations, advancing hand in hand with wine growers who love what they do, while adding that special touch. This has enabled him to explore and master different terroirs, from which he consistently produces pure wines with a precise sense of place, personality and balance.
