We have been following Michel Gassier’s work for over two decades, and he along with Grenache virtuoso Philippe Cambie, have established an enviable track record going back to the days when the wines were under the Chateau de Nages label (Michel’s home estate). Since 2006, the Nostre Pais reds have garnered 90-and-above scores all but twice, and on every vintage both great and small since 2010. As we have said many times about this wine that, at its normal ‘upper teens’ pricing, selling this kind of juice at this kind of price never gets old.
When it comes to wine, Michel Gassier ‘gets it’. When we visited his estate in 2000, he was already experimenting with micro-oxygenation, pretty advanced for the times and the region. Most folks don’t really have a feel for where Costieres de Nimes even is, but this guy has been A-game for a long time and, because he is working with a less than famous appellation, there is somewhat of a limit to what he can charge. That makes it an ideal scenario for consumers.
The Nostre Pais program has been like clockwork getting Wine Advocate scores predominantly between 91 and 93 points, even in difficult vintages. The exercise here is about introducing his newest red which we believe is among his best ever. We’ll also submit that Nostre Pais 2016 represents another level of refinement in his winemaking. White tablecloth Costieres des Nimes? Why not? Yet the wine is still at very palatable prices given the performance.
We are very pleased with this newest Nostre Pais wines overall, and with this red we see an even more notable step up. Typically in this part of the world, whether deliberately or not, size does matter for the critics. The region’s wines can sometimes be a bit direct and one dimensional and strictly rely on ‘punch’ to impress. This Nostre Pais is a notch better than their very fine efforts from past vintages, but here expect more balance, seamlessness and elegance. It plays well above its appellation and is more akin stylistically to a Chateauneuf from the cooler northern area. Very classy and complex, this is not your father’s Costieres.
One again, ‘the critics agree’. The Wine Advocate’s notes are, “A Grenache-led blend (55% Grenache Noir,25% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Carignan, and 5% Cinsault to be exact), the 2016 Costieres de Nimes Nostre Pais features compelling aromas of crushed stone, black olive and blueberry. It’s medium to full-bodied, with crunchy, fresh fruit and silky but firm tannins. It should drink well through 2025.”
Once again, the comments were quite consistent, with Jeb Dunnuck offering, “…Orange peel, black raspberries, exotic flowers, spice, and a limestone-like minerality all flow from this elegant, seamless, medium to full-bodied 2016 that has both freshness and richness. It’s a no-brainer purchase and will drink nicely for 5-6 years.”
Both pundits gave the Michel Gassier Costieres De Nimes Rouge Nostre Pais 2016 91-point reviews, but we actually think this one deserves better. Balance and refinement might have even put it the Nostre Pais at a little bit of a disadvantage in an arena that favors chunkier wines. We like this one even better than the critics for its polished presentation. It reaches another level stylistically and plays above its price point even more than its predecessors. This is a ‘wine for all seasons’ and a definite must for value and versatility. Like the man said…a no brainer.