2015 Michel Gassier Costieres-de-Nimes Nostre Pais

Coming mostly from the Bec vineyard in the south, the 2015 Costières de Nîmes Nostre Païs checks in as a blend of 45% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 15% Carignan and the balance Mourvèdre and Cinsault. It sports a deep ruby color to go with fabulous Grenache notes of black raspberries, spice, garrigue, and pepper. Hedonistic, opulent and rich, yet also balanced and fresh, it will compete with $50-dollar Châteauneuf du Papes. Vigneron Michel Gassier is knocking it out of the park with his release under his own label. While these releases come mostly from the southern part of the Costières de Nîmes, readers should also read the reviews on his Chateau de Nages cuvee which are more focused on the northern part of the appellation.

The 2015 Costières de Nîmes Nostre Païs comes primarily from the estate’s Beck vineyard which is located in the southern, cooler end of the appellation. Made from 40% Grenache Blanc, 25% Roussanne and the rest Clairette, Viognier and Bourboulenc, it’s an elegant, impeccably balanced white that has crisp acidity, medium-bodied richness and perfumed notes of citrus rind, crushed rocks and subtle white peach. It’s ideal for drinking over the coming year or two.