2019 Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux Rhone, France

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Le Claux is the estates oldest vineyard and sits near the entrance to the winery. It was first planted in 1870 following phylloxera. My uncles thought it wasnt producing enough fruit and planned to uproot it in 1914, says Louis Barruol, but World War I interrupted that plan. The 1.8-hectare Le Clauxmeaning Clos in old Frenchis a field blend of predominately Grenache. Louis Barruol believes 10% of the vineyard is from the original 1870 planting. Vines are replaced by massal selection and the average vine age is 60-years. The wine is made with whole cluster fermentation from indigenous yeasts, is aged in 20% new 228-liter barrels, and bottled without fining or filtration.