TWO 2000 GIGONDAS - DOMAINE SANTA DUC + CHATEAU DE ST. COSME

After Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas is arguably the stand-out appellation in the Southern Rhône. Altitude is a factor here, with some vines being grown up to 600 metres. Gigondas is capable of producing powerful, structured and relatively long-lived wines based primarily on Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, with the likes of Cinsault being added to the mix. At its best, Gigondas is sweet fruited in youth, burly and spicy, a rather rugged, masculine wine suited to similarly hearty food.

Domaine Santa Duc and Chateau de St. Cosme are two of the best producers of Gigondas, and 2000 was a pretty handy vintage in the Southern Rhône. Over a decade on, both wines are drinking well, with secondary complexity emerging. The Santa Duc is perhaps more opened and accessible, perhaps due to a higher percentage of sweet Grenache fruit. The St. Cosme is a more serious fellow, savoury and gamey, suggestive of mature Syrah and Mourvèdre.

Although the Santa Duc wins by the barest of margins, both are excellent wines and are in the slot for current drinking.

2000 GIGONDAS
Producer: Domaine Santa Duc
Variety: Grenache et al
Vintage: 2000
Region: Southern Rhône, France
ABV: 14.5%
Price: N/a
Closure: Natural cork
Format: 750ml
Date tasted: 18 September 2011

Tasting Note:
Bold slightly medicinal nose, raspberry coulis, lilac, mint and rosemary. Dry, full bodied, unobtrusive tannins, spicy raspberry fruit intermingled with dry herbs. Although at the highish end, the alcohol is well balanced. Delivers all of the flavour one could want from a hearty Southern Rhône red, and should hold for at least another 3 or so years.
Score: 17/20

2000 GIGONDAS
Producer: Chateau de Sainte Cosme
Variety: Grenache et al
Vintage: 2000
Region: Southern Rhône, France
ABV: 14.0%
Price: N/a
Closure: Natural cork
Format: 750ml
Date tasted: 18 September 2011

Tasting Note:
Medium garnet, fading slightly at the rim. Inviting nose of raspberry coulis, spice and dried Provencale herbs. Full bodied, and packed with flavour, sweet damson/raspberry fruit, tar and Asian spices. Perhaps slightly gamier and evolved than the Santa Duc This wine is near full maturity and drinking well now.
Score: 16.5/20