The family estate of Michel Gassier, located in the Costières de Nîmes appellation, Chateau de Nages has been firing on all cylinders in recent years. They fashion a number of cuvees, and while the prices fall in the value end of the spectrum, the quality does not, and these are seriously good wines that deserve more attention in the market.
(90-92) 2015 Château de Nages JT – Rouge
Coming from the same parcel every year, the 2015 Costières de Nîmes Jt incorporates slightly more Grenache than normal and is 85% Syrah, 10% Grenache and 5% Mourvèdre (there might be a splash of Viognier in there as well) that was fermented with roughly 40% whole clusters and aged in concrete tanks and large oak barrels. It offers a big, rich, beautifully concentrated style as well as sweet tannin, classic notes of plums, violets and pepper, excellent purity and a great finish. It will certainly be an outstanding wine and I suspect will keep for a decade. -JD
93 2015 Château de Nages JT – Blanc
The top white of the estate is the 2015 Costières de Nîmes Blanc JT, and this big, rich, decadent beauty will stand side by side a Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc that costs three times its price. Completely barrel-fermented and a blend of Roussanne, Viognier and Grenache Blanc, it gives up classy notes of sautéed peaches, white flowers, pineapple and a hint of citrus in its medium to full-bodied, rich, voluptuous personality that stays clean and fresh. Drink it over the coming 2-4 years. -JD
92 2014 Château de Nages JT – Rouge
A real blockbuster in the vintage, the 2014 Costières de Nîmes Jt is a more Northern Rhone-styled beauty that checks in as 95% Syrah and a splash of Grenache that saw plenty of whole clusters and aging in concrete and larger oak. Smoked meats, pepper, roasted herbs, graphite and assorted darker fruits all emerge from this medium to full-bodied, rich, beautifully textured effort, and while it’s hard to resist now, it will keep through 2024. -JD
(89-92) 2015 Château de Nages Vieilles Vignes – Rouge
Made from 65% Grenache, and the rest Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan, the 2015 Costières de Nîmes Vieilles Vignes is a darker, richer effort that offers lots of black fruits, dark chocolate, smoked herbs and spice in a mouth-filling, concentrated, balanced style. It will drink nicely right out of the gate. -JD
91 2015 Château de Nages Vieilles Vignes – Blanc
Coming from the older vines on the estate and a mostly barrel-fermented blend of 45% Roussanne, 30% Clairette, 20% Grenache Blanc and the rest Bourboulenc, the 2015 Costières de Nîmes Vieilles Vignes Blanc is a crisp, focused and lively white that offers elegant and exotic notes of pineapple, crisp white peach and mint. Coming from the more northern part of the Costières, it has medium-bodied richness, impeccably integrated acidity and a great finish. Drink this beauty anytime over the coming 2-3 years. -JD
90 2014 Château de Nages Vieilles Vignes – Rouge
Another outstanding wine from this top notch estate in the Costières de Nîmes, the 2014 Costières de Nîmes Vieilles Vignes sports a deep ruby color as well as beautiful aromatics of blackberries, blueberries, peppery herbs, violets and spice. Focused, medium to full-bodied and elegant, with fine tannin and bright acidity, this blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignan will drink nicely for 4-5 years. -JD
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