Gigondas Hominis Fides, Château de Saint Cosme 2018

One of the wines of the vintage, 2018 Gigondas Hominis Fides comes from a single parcel of old vines planted in more limestone/sandy soils not far from the estate (it’s just across the street from the Le Claux lieu-dit). This dense purple/ruby hued beauty boasts a sensational bouquet of ripe black raspberries, mulled cherries, black licorice, loamy soil, and a kiss of camphor, as well as plenty of peppery herb-like nuances. With full-bodied richness, it hits the palate with a seamless, elegant texture, no hard edges, building tannins and one seriously good finish. It’s not a powerhouse like the 2007 or 2016, yet has incredible finesse as well as purity of fruit and length. It benefits from a quick decant and is guaranteed to put a smile on your face any time over the coming 15+ years.

The 2018 Gigondas Hominis Fides is another huge success for the team at Saint Cosme, boasting complex aromas of roses, dusty earth, cigar box, asphalt and dark fruit. The plums and black cherries expand on the full-bodied palate, sweeping across in supple waves of flavor without ever becoming overbearing, buoyed by notes of cracked pepper and anise, then finishing in silky pools of lingering flavor.