The energetic Michel Gassier has been a leading ambassador for the Costières de Nîmes for the past decade, traveling the world to promote his home region and his myriad of wines. In addition to the wines under the Michel Gassier label, he’s the winemaker for his family estate, Château de Nages, and partners in several joint ventures: Halos de Jupiter (with Philippe Cambie), Le Fervent (with Cambie and Chateau Ste. Michelle) and Cercius (with Cambie and Eric Solomon). Those are all reviewed under their own headings, although I tasted them during my August visit with Gassier.
91 2015 Michel Gassier Lou Coucardié Rouge
The full-bodied, richly tannic 2015 Costieres de Nimes Lou Coucardie is a blend of 50% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache and 20% Syrah aged in 600-liter demi-muids. At the moment, it’s a bit dark and monolithic, resembling black cherry liqueur, but given its makeup, I expect it to develop additional complexity over the next 5 years.
91 2016 Michel Gassier Lou Coucardié Blanc
Despite being fully barrel fermented in mainly new oak, the 2016 Costieres de Nimes Blanc Lou Coucardie shows very little overt wood. Instead, this blend of Viognier, Roussanne and Grenache Blanc delivers aromas of crushed shells and fresh flowers, ample stone fruit and pear flavors and a lingering citrus and ginger-spiced finish. It’s medium to full-bodied but carries its weight well, never seeming heavy, and finishing fresh and clean.
90-92 2016 Michel Gassier Lou Coucardié Rouge
Based on a prospective blend drawn from barrel, the 2016 Costieres de Nimes Lou Coucardie looks to be another highly successful effort. It’s plush, velvety and tannic, needing a bit of time to mellow, but will undoubtedly be outstanding when it’s released next year.
91 2015 Michel Gassier Nostre Païs Rouge
A Grenache-led blend of five grape varieties, the 2015 Costieres de Nimes Nostre Pais features spicy, peppery aromas, ample weight and richness on the palate and attractive notes of cola, blueberries and cracked pepper. Supple and creamy in texture, it can already be enjoyed for its long, silky finish and combined sense of ripeness and balance.
91 2016 Michel Gassier Nostre Païs Blanc
The 2016 Costieres de Nimes Blanc Nostre Pais is a mainly (75%) barrel-fermented blend of Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Clairette, all sourced from the southern sector of the appellation (closer to the Mediterranean Sea). It shows some faint notes of roasted nuts and honeyed citrus as a result but also remains bright, crisp and almost saline in character, with a long, briny finish. Drink it over the next few years.
89-91 2016 Michel Gassier Nostre Païs Rouge
A prospective blend of the 2016 Costieres de Nimes Nostre Pais, blended from tank and barrel, showed a touch of warmth on the finish but also compelling spice and black cherry notes and a ripe, creamy texture.
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