In the glass
Aroma: wild herbs, dark plum, iron, pine resin, crushed rock
Palate: dark berry, tobacco, mineral iron, firm tannins, long earthy finish
A Mourvedre-accented Gigondas from the Le Claux parcel; more structured and austere than the estate Gigondas, with iron and wild herb character demanding several years of age.
What it pairs with
-
Wild boar ragout with polenta
Mourvedre's iron notes are a perfect foil for gamey wild boar. -
Aged pecorino
Firm tannins and mineral character match hard aged cheese.
How to serve Chateau de Saint Cosme Le Claux
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Wild boar ragout with polenta, Aged pecorino. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Le Claux is a single-parcel Gigondas cuvee from Saint Cosme, drawn from a high-altitude clay-limestone parcel with more Mourvedre than the estate blend. First produced in 2002 as Louis Barruol explored single-terroir expressions.
- 2002 — Le Claux first produced as a single-parcel cuvee at Saint Cosme
Facts
- Producer
- Chateau de Saint Cosme
- Grapes
- Grenache (65%), Mourvedre (25%), Syrah (10%)
- Classification
- Gigondas AOC
- Oak
- Old foudres and used demi-muids
- ABV
- 14.5%
- Price
- EUR 50-85 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5-18 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2002
- Organic
- ORGANIC CERTIFIED
Frequently asked about Chateau de Saint Cosme Le Claux
What does Chateau de Saint Cosme Le Claux taste like?
On the nose, wild herbs, dark plum, iron, pine resin, crushed rock. On the palate, dark berry, tobacco, mineral iron, firm tannins, long earthy finish. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, medium acidity with a long finish. A Mourvedre-accented Gigondas from the Le Claux parcel; more structured and austere than the estate Gigondas, with iron and wild herb character demanding several years of age.
When should I drink Chateau de Saint Cosme Le Claux?
Drink 5-18 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Chateau de Saint Cosme Le Claux?
Wild boar ragout with polenta is the canonical pairing; Aged pecorino is the other strong match. Mourvedre's iron notes are a perfect foil for gamey wild boar.
What grapes are in Chateau de Saint Cosme Le Claux?
The blend is Grenache (65%), Mourvedre (25%), Syrah (10%). The wine is classified as Gigondas AOC.