Little James Basket Press Rouge
Wine Description
Château de Saint Cosme is the leading estate of Gigondas and produces the benchmark wines of the appellation. The property has been in the hands of the Barruol family since 1490. Louis Barruol took over from his father in 1992 making a dramatic shift to quality and converting to biodynamics in 2010.
The estate lies in the heart of Gigondas where 15 hectares of vineyard grow in the shade of the Dentelles de Montmirail mountain. In addition to the estate-grown wines labeled “Château de Saint Cosme,” Louis Barruol buys grapes from contracted growers, labeling these “négociant” wines simply as “Saint Cosme.”
Saint Cosme Little James’ Basket Press Rouge carries the Vin de France designation due to its unique production method. The wine is made from blending Grenache from multiple vintages in concrete tanks starting with the 1999 vintage. With the 2021 bottling, Louis Barruol is introducing 40% Pinot Noir for the first time, with Grenache making up the remainder of the blend. The result is a wine that is both vibrant and complex.