2023 Chateau de Saint Cosme Les Deux Albion Principaute-d'Orange IGP 750 ml

Few names are as closely associated with the Rhône Valley as Château de Saint Cosme. Robert Parker classifies their bottlings, made by legendary winemaker Louis Barruol, as "some of the finest wines in the southern Rhône as well as France," and has urged his readers to pay heed to the "terrific value" offered by Barruol's wines.

The 2023 Les Deux Albion Blanc represents a rare and remarkable expression of white Rhône winemaking from one of the region's top producers. This distinctive white wine showcases the precision and expertise that has made Saint Cosme the leading estate of Gigondas, with the property remaining in the Barruol family since 1490.

With Saint Cosme, it pays to be schooled on the label. The winery's wines labeled "Saint Cosme" (without "Château de" in front) come from contracted vineyard sources. Only the wines that come from Barruol's own vineyards—including this exceptional Les Deux Albion Blanc—bear the full "Château de Saint Cosme" name on the label. However, it’s against French law to label an IGP wine with “Château,” so they went with “Domaine.” 

The 2023 comes from 10 hectares of estate vineyards near Violès, directly across the Ouvèze River from Gigondas, where the level of limestone (Barruol believes) is the highest in the region. The wine is a masterful blend of Viognier, Picpoul, and Marsanne, aged on the lees in a mix of barrels, demi-muids, and stainless steel tanks to preserve both richness and freshness.

Les Deux Albions Blanc reveals the salty minerality characteristic of its limestone terroir, with elegant notes of dried apricots and white flowers. It’s an exceptional Rhône white that shows Barruol in rare—but, unsurprisingly, fantastic—form.