Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
Surprisingly, the 2018 Costières de Nîmes Nostre Païs had not been bottled at the time of this tasting. Nevertheless, it continues to show beautifully, with a perfumed, medium to full-bodied, finesse-driven, elegant style that I would happily drink today. Giving up lots of both red and black fruits, garrigue, candied violets, and ground pepper, it has both richness and elegance and certainly competes with any number of base Châteauneuf du Papes that sell for quite a bit more.
Barrel Sample: 91-93
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
Gently rolling hills covered by large, round stones on south-facing slopes, Costieres de Nimes is a substantial IGP zone that was formerly considered part of the Languedoc. Today it is included as a section of the southern Rhone; its climate, topography and wines put it more in line with that appellation. Grenache is its most important red variety, along with Mourvedre, Syrah and Carignan. Half of the production here is rosé.