2011 Michel Gassier, Lou Coucardie Blanc, Costieres de Nimes White Rhone, France.
This Roussanne based white shows great intensity and vigor while remaining remarkably balanced and lush on the palate. It was great to taste this wine with Michel Gassier and hear of his estate and his vision of his wonderful wines, of which this 2011 Lou Coucardie white starred and performed like a fabled Beaucastel Blanc. Without question this is one of the greatest values in Roussanne out there and while still fairly rare, it is more available than most, especially as Eric Solomon Selections are in most US markets these days. Gassier’s biodynamic vineyards and consultant Philippe Cambie continue to turn out amazing wines of super quality and full of terroir charms and character. I’m hardly the first to notice of course, but I am very grateful to have met and tasted with Michel Gassier and I’m a huge fan of his wines. The 2011 Lou Coucadie white shows subtle jasmine and honeysuckle with mineral spice, marmalade and tropical fruit leading to a full and creamy mouth of apple, apricot, lime and tangerine fruits with flashes of chalk and saline, while notes of wet stone, clarified cream, fennel and peach in syrup add complexity. The acidity heightens the experience and lifts the flavors throughout and while crisp, this white possesses nice length and lavish richness.
($26 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive