Château de Saint Cosme, Les Deux Albion, Blanc, Rhône, France, 2024

Overview of the Wine
Saint Cosme - located north to the village of Gigondas - is the most ancient estate in the region. Lying on the site of a Gallo-Roman villa which very probably already had its own vineyard, the estate's existence in 1416 is attested by a document mentioning the granting by Jean de Chalon, Price of Orange, of "land for the planting of vines on the Saint Cosme slopes." The Barruol's ancestors acquired it in 1570, and at the end of the sixteenth century built a splendid residence over existing cellars.

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.

Grape / Blend
30% Viognier, 30% Picpoul, 20% Marsanne, 6% Clairette, 6% Ugni Blanc, 5% Bourboulenclocal, and 3% Saint Cosme

Origin
Saint-Joseph, Rhône, France

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Les Deux Albions Blanc shows the salty minerality typical of limestone terroir with notes of dried apricots and white flowers. The plantings near Violès include Bourboulenc, Marsanne, Viognier, Picpoul, Clairette, and Ugni Blanc, and all varieties will be included in future bottlings.

Viognier aged in neutral barrels has a full body and rich texture with just-medium acidity. It is easily paired with dishes that feature creamy sauces, mild white fish, and roasted pork or chicken. Picpoul brings acidity to the blend and gives this wine salinity, making it a superb choice for cooked or raw shellfish.

Product size: 750ml