Winemaker Notes
Hominis Fides is typically the most elegant of Château de Saint Cosme's three single-vineyard Gigondas. "Grenache grown in the sandy soil produces marvelously textured wines as well as extremely refined tannins; a very special and stylish wine," says Louis Barruol. The wine features aromas and flavors of pepper, truffle, graphite, and smoke. Grenache is the pale-colored, red-fruited, and potpourri-scented red grape variety of the southern Rhône and can be paired with both rustic and sophisticated dishes.
Full bodied Grenache-based wines are ideal with stews, braises, and grilled meats, while lighter versions can work well with dark fish and tomato-based dishes such as ratatouille.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
All Grenache from a single vineyard of more sandy soils just downhill from the château, the 2023 Gigondas Hominis Fides was not destemmed and was brought up in used oak. It reveals darker berry fruits, roasted garrigue, graphite, and loamy soils and has a concentrated, broad, layered mouthfeel as well as beautiful mid-palate depth. It has ripe tannins and is a gorgeous, layered, sexy Gigondas.
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James Suckling
For such a hot, dry vintage and such a full-bodied and concentrated wine, this has a gracefulness that is very impressive. The plush tannins are beautifully integrated on the front- and mid-palates, climbing out of the depths in the stunning finish. I love the damson-plum aroma and touch of licorice woven into all of this. From organically grown grapes from vines planted in 1902. Drinkable now but best from 2026.
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Wine Spectator
Sturdy and sleek at the same time, with concentrated waves of black currant and plum encased in a serious robe of solid iron. This is just beginning to unfurl, revealing notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and singed rosemary, all powered by lifted acidity for great tension through the long, well-built finish. Cellar this to reveal its full potential. Best from 2027 through 2042. 39 cases imported.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
This vintage perfectly suits this pure Grenache Noir, rooted in sandy, calcareous soils. Evoking aromas of blueberries, dark wild berries, spices and garrigue, the 2023 Gigondas Hominis Fides is medium- to full-bodied, dense and layered, with a telluric force that drives a powerful, intense mid-palate. Perfumed and long, it offers a broad drinking window.
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Vinous
The 2023 Gigondas Hominis Fides develops prominent aromas of cassis, melted licorice, ripe black cherry and dried herbs. Complex and intense, it gains nuance with time in the glass to reveal spiciness and floral tones of dried violets. Superbly balanced, the full-bodied 2023 is tight and energetic, and I suspect it will require a bit more time than Le Claux or Le Poste from the same vintage to fully express itself. While similar in quality to the other two, I have a feeling that the Hominis Fides will ultimately emerge on top.
Rating: 94+
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
The Southern Rhône region of Gigondas extends northwest from the notably jagged wall of mountains called the Dentelles di Montmirail, whose highest point climbs to about 2,600 feet. The region and its wines have much in common with the neighboring Chateauneuf-du-Pape except that the vineyards of Gigondas exist at higher elevation and its soils, comprised mainly of crumbled limestone from the Dentelles, often produce a more dense and robust Grenache-based red wine.
The region has a history of fine winemaking, extending back to Roman times. But by the 20th century, Gigondas was merely lumped into the less distinct zone of Côtes du Rhône Villages. However, it was first among these satellite villages to earn its own appellation, which occurred in 1971.
Gigondas reds must be between 50 to 100% Grenache with Syrah and Mourvèdre comprising the bulk of the remainder of the blend. They tend express rustic flavors and aromas of wild blackberry, raspberry, fig, plum, as well as juniper, dried herbs, anise, smoke and river rock. The best are bold but balanced, and finish with impressively sexy and velvety tannins.
The Gigondas appellation also produces rosé but no white wines.