Château de Saint Cosme 'Les Deux Albion' Rouge 2023
Product Information
Country France
Region Rhone
Grape Variety 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 15% Syrah, 3% Clairette, 2% Cinsault
Vintage 2023
ABV 14.5%
If you are looking to buy Château de Saint Cosme Les Deux Albion Rouge 2023, this is a characterful Southern Rhône red wine that combines generous Grenache fruit with the savoury depth of Mourvèdre and Syrah.
Produced by Louis Barruol at Château de Saint Cosme, Les Deux Albion is a step up in complexity from a straightforward Côtes du Rhône. The 2023 blend brings together five varieties, creating a wine with ripe red and black fruit, Mediterranean herbs, peppery spice, floral notes, and a mineral undertone.
For anyone searching for a premium Côtes du Rhône red wine to buy in the UK, this is an expressive, food-friendly Rhône blend with plenty of personality.
2023 Vintage Overview
The 2023 Château de Saint Cosme Les Deux Albion Rouge has a generous Southern Rhône character while retaining the freshness and structure that define the Saint Cosme style.
The blend is led by Grenache at 50%, supported by 30% Mourvèdre and 15% Syrah, with small proportions of Clairette and Cinsault adding further complexity. The result is deeper and more structured than many everyday Côtes du Rhône wines, while remaining approachable.
The 2023 shows ripe blackberry and cherry alongside garrigue, black pepper, liquorice, and savoury spice. Its 14.5% alcohol provides warmth and concentration without overwhelming the wine's freshness.
What Makes the 2023 Different?
Les Deux Albion should not be confused with Saint Cosme's Côtes du Rhône Rouge 2024, which is a Syrah-focused wine. Les Deux Albion takes a very different route.
The 2023 is a Grenache-led Southern Rhône blend, with Mourvèdre bringing darker fruit, structure, and savoury depth, while Syrah contributes pepper, floral character, and dark-fruit intensity.
This makes the wine particularly appealing if you enjoy classic Rhône blends but want something with more depth and individuality.
Terroir & Winemaking
The grapes come from the Southern Rhône, where warm Mediterranean conditions are balanced by soils capable of retaining freshness. The Les Deux Albion vineyards include clay, limestone marl, and rounded pebbles, helping provide both concentration and mineral character.
Saint Cosme's winemaking is equally distinctive. The grapes are co-fermented, with whole bunches used in the fermentation, before the wine is matured in a combination of concrete and wood. The finished wine is bottled without filtration according to published producer information.
The approach gives Les Deux Albion its combination of ripe fruit, aromatic complexity, fine-grained tannin, and savoury Southern Rhône character.
2023 Tasting Notes
Nose: Aromatic and expressive, with blackberry, black cherry, plum and blueberry, followed by violet, garrigue, black pepper, liquorice, and Mediterranean herbs.
Palate: Dry, generous, and medium to full-bodied. Dark and red fruit flavours combine with fine but noticeable tannins, fresh acidity and a savoury, spicy character.
Finish: Long and persistent, with lingering dark fruit, pepper, herbs, liquorice, and mineral notes.
Independent 2023 tasting descriptions also highlight ripe red and black fruits, Mediterranean herbs, pepper, spice, fine tannins, and a long savoury finish.
2023 Critics' Scores & Reviews
Important vintage-specific note: at the time of writing, I could not verify a reliable published 2023 critic score from a major critic such as James Suckling, Vinous, Wine Spectator or Jeb Dunnuck specifically for this bottling.
The existing Divine Fine Wines page claims 90–92 points for previous vintages, but those scores should not be presented as 2023 scores.
For context only, the 2022 Les Deux Albion received 92 points from James Suckling and 91 points from Vinous, demonstrating the critical reputation of the cuvée—but these scores belong to the 2022 vintage and should remain clearly separated from the 2023 product information.
This section can be updated as soon as a verified 2023 professional review becomes available.
Food Pairings
The combination of ripe fruit, spice and savoury structure makes this an excellent Côtes du Rhône red wine for food.
Pair it with:
• Rosemary and garlic roast lamb
• Grilled or braised beef
• Duck and game
• Sausages and charcuterie
• Beef or lamb stew
• Roast chicken with Mediterranean herbs
• Ratatouille and roasted vegetables
• Mature hard cheeses
Serve at approximately 16–18°C.
Why Buy Les Deux Albion Rouge 2023?
Choose this wine if you want to buy a Grenache-based Rhône red wine online in the UK with the pedigree of Château de Saint Cosme.
Its multi-variety blend gives it more complexity than a simple everyday red, while its generous fruit and supple texture make it approachable without sacrificing character.
It is an especially good choice for lovers of Southern Rhône wine, Grenache, Mourvèdre and classic French red blends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What grapes are in Château de Saint Cosme Les Deux Albion Rouge 2023?
A. The 2023 is composed of 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 15% Syrah, 3% Clairette and 2% Cinsault.
Q. What does Les Deux Albion Rouge 2023 taste like?
A. Expect blackberry, black cherry, plum and blueberry, accompanied by garrigue, violet, black pepper, liquorice, and savoury Mediterranean herbs.
Q. Is Les Deux Albion the same as Saint Cosme Côtes du Rhône Rouge?
A. No. Les Deux Albion 2023 is a Grenache-led multi-variety blend, while the Saint Cosme Côtes du Rhône Rouge 2024 is a Syrah-focused wine. They offer distinctly different expressions of the Southern Rhône.
Q. What food pairs with Les Deux Albion Rouge?
A. It works particularly well with lamb, beef, game, sausages, roast chicken, Mediterranean vegetables, and mature cheeses.
Q. Can I drink Les Deux Albion Rouge 2023 now?
A. Yes. Its ripe fruit and balanced structure make it enjoyable relatively young, while its tannins, concentration and acidity give it the structure to develop further in bottle.
