White dry
Saint Cosme Condrieu is produced from fully-ripened Viognier which Louis Barruol believes is essential to achieving the variety’s full potential. The wine is matured for eight months in used 228-liter barrels and undergoes full malolactic fermentation on fine lees for 12 months. Saint Cosme Condrieu shows classic aromas and flavors of dried apricot, peach, and orange blossom with fennel, anise, and elderflower. Twelve months of aging on its fine lees in used Burgundian pièce brings texture to the palate. This is a classic Condrieu.
Serve at 11-13 °C with dishes that feature creamy sauces, mild white fish, and roasted pork or chicken.
Barruol does a lovely job with Condrieu, which he sources from Malleval, what he calls "the cold corner of Condrieu." His 2020 Condrieu features flowery, blossom-like aromas, plus subtle pear and spice shadings. It's only medium-bodied, but provides hints of Viognier's opulence, with a long, silky-textured finish that barely hints at bitterness.
Château de Saint Cosme is one of the oldest and most respected wineries in the southern Rhône Valley, located in the Gigondas appellation. The estate’s history dates back to the 16th century, and today it is run by Louis Barruol, representing the 14th generation of the family dedicated to preserving and developing this exceptional domaine.
The winery is renowned for its organic and biodynamic viticulture and for its highly precise work in the cellar. The vineyards grow on limestone, clay, and sandy soils, which give the wines structure, mineral tension, and remarkable ageing potential.
The estate’s flagship grape variety is ‘Grenache’, alongside ‘Syrah’, ‘Mourvèdre’, and ‘Cinsault’. Grapes are harvested by hand, fermentation is carried out with native yeasts, and ageing often takes place in old oak barrels or concrete vats to preserve the purity of the terroir and the authenticity of the wine.
Château de Saint Cosme wines are known for:
expressive yet balanced fruit character
elegant structure
pronounced minerality
excellent ageing potential
The estate is widely regarded as a benchmark of Gigondas, respected both in France and internationally as one of the most authentic expressions of the Southern Rhône.