Michel Gassier and his family have been creating outstanding wines for four generations. We are also honored to say he is a cousin. Situated in Costières de Nîmes, the southern most vineyard in the Rhône Valley, the winery, Château de Nages, focuses on organic farming techniques and allowing the terroir to be the primary influence on the grapes. The majority of the vineyard is planted with Syrah, ideal for the Mediterranean climate and soil, while Grenache, Mourvèdre and Roussanne are planted on the remaining hectares.
We’ve had the pleasure of trying many of Michel’s wines and our favorite is Lou Coucardié Red. As the vineyard is located just north of the Camargue where bullfighting has been celebrated since Roman times, this wine has been named for the biggest bull in the pen, as depicted on the label. The 2006 is a subtle blend of Mourvèdre, Grenache and Syrah, aged nearly three years in French oak. This dark and concentrated wine has notes of crème de cassis, licorice and spice, scoring 90 points with Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. The 2007, scoring a 92, has been likened to famed Châteauneuf du Pape with hints of lavender, kirsch and pepper.
