Domaine Gassier Lou Coucardie Rouge 2016
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Jeb -
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Robert
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Lou Courcardié is the champion bull of the Course Camarguaise, the ancient sport of man against bull practiced in the Costières de Nîmes and the Languedoc. Unlike bull fighting in Spain, the bull is never harmed although those who face him frequently are! Michel Gassier has elected to use this name as an homage to not only these magnificent beasts but his finest efforts in the vineyard and cellar.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Still in demi-muids (they're pushing the élevage with this cuvée), the 2016 Costières de Nîmes Lou Coucardié is a blend of 50% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache, and the rest Syrah. It boasts a rich, full-bodied yet incredibly elegant and seamless profile that’s every bit as good as just about anything you can find in the Southern Rhône in 2017. Offering lots of cassis, black raspberries, toasted spices, and cured meat notes, this beauty has solid mid-palate depth and sweet tannins, and while it’s going to drink nicely right out of the gate, it’s also going to age gracefully for over a decade.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A Mourvèdre-led blend aged in demi-muids, the 2016 Costieres de Nimes Lou Coucardie features patisserie-like notes of baking spice and vanilla. It's full-bodied, oaky and plush, with forward notes of dark fruit and decent freshness on the long finish.
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Wine
Domaine Gassier is the result of a shared passion between Tina and Michel Gassier. Located at the tail-end of the Rhône Valley, their vineyards face the marshes of Camargue and the Mediterranean Sea. They have a Rhône Terroir under maritime influence, situated in the southernmost Rhône appellation: Costières de Nîmes. Gassier vineyards have been organic certified since 2023, the first French Vineyard Regenerative Certified, by A Greener World.
They believe in minimal intervention to enhance freshness, balance, and minerality.
As of 2022, Isabel Gassier, the youngest and 5th generation of their family, has joined the Domaine. With great energy and humility, Isabel is leading the transition to regenerative farming. She embodies the next generation, constantly striving for positive change and innovation.
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.