2009 Michel Gassier Costières de Nîmes Lou Coucardie

A rich, substantial, and serious red, the 2009 Michel Gassier Costières-de-Nîmes Lou Coucardie is a blend of 60% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache, and 10% Syrah that was aged for close to 18 months, on lees, in French oak barrels. The wine exhibits a deep, inky color as well as brilliant, rich aromatics of crème de cassis, spice, graphite, chocolate, and earth. While decidedly rich and leaning into the decadent realm, this stays beautifully fresh and focused. Full-bodied on the palate and structured, with layers of fruit and texture, impressive balance, and a classic, clean finish, this superb wine can be enjoyed now, but should evolve positively for 2-4 years, and have 10-12 years or more of prime drinking.

The outrageously complex, dense purple-hued 2009 Costieres de Nimes Lou Coucardie is fashioned from a blend of 60% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache and 10% Syrah aged in French oak on its lees for at least 12 months. The most limited offering, its blue/purple color is followed by aromas of toast, white chocolate, bay leaf, black currants, blackberries and a hint of coffee. This full-bodied, deep wine admirably demonstrates the potential of Mourvedre in the Costieres de Nimes. It should drink well for a decade or more. Costieres de Nimes is a treasure-trove for value hunters. Moreover, there are a lot of high quality vignerons and domaines in that sun-drenched, Mistral-blown appellation just south of Chateauneuf du Pape. Michel Gassier is one of the stars of this appellation and he makes a number of cuvees that all merit attention. Various American importers including: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565 and Total Wine & More, New York, NY