Community Tasting Note

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Sunday, March 29, 2020 - 2015 Château de Nages Costières-de-Nîmes JT was stylish, expressive and layered. The Syrah-dominant blend from Costières-de-Nîmes was clear and medium ruby in colour without any sediments. Freshly uncorked, aromatics of raspberries, black cherries, olives, farmyard and earth. With an hour of in-bottle aeration, notes of blackberries, coffee and liqourice emerged. On the palate, it was dry and medium-full bodied, with medium level of balanced acidity, medium level of chalky tannin and evident stony minerality. The long finish was packed with flavours of black pepper, violets, cocoa and black tea.

The blend consisted of 95% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre, and the vines were grown on round pebbles on iron-rich clay subsoil. It was fermented with whole-bunch and whole-berry to achieve lifted aromatic complexity. The wine was certified organic.

Renowned wine critic, Jeb Dunnuck, commented that it reminded him of a top Crozes-Hermitage. I would add that it resembled Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage for the farmyard and earthy characters, plus the lifted aromatics from whole-bunch fermentation. Having said that, Crozes-Hermitage in moderate continental climate, had more acidity and freshness, while Costières-de-Nîmes, influenced by hot Mediterranean climate, was more robust and alcoholic.

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