TN: 2012 Michel Gassier - "Nostre Pais" Blanc (France, S. Rhône, Costières-de-Nîmes)

WINE TALK
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2012 Michel Gassier Costières-de-Nîmes Nostre Pais Blanc - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Costières-de-Nîmes (10/11/2014)
– popped and poured –
– tasted non-blind over a few hours –
– 53% Grenache Blanc, 38% Roussanne, 6% Viognier, 3% Bourboulenc –

NOSE: expressive; persimmon; kumquat; beeswax; strong mineral/wet fabric note; hints of fresh fish and banana leaf; medium complexity.

BODY: tan-yellow color of medium-light to medium depth; medium to medium-full bodied.

TASTE: loads of mineral flavor; red apple; underbrush; quinine; hint of camphor; 13.5% alc. pokes through a little, unless that’s just a strong mineral note tricking me; not complex; solid, but unremarkable; drink now. Gut impression score: 86 – 88.

Posted from CellarTracker

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I have not tried the 2012, but have to admit to liking prior vintages a bit more than you liked the '12. I think Cambie is everything that is wrong with Southern Rhone, but this wine has an appeal, yes a bit low acid, yes a bit rich, but it’s a fun little wine and correctly priced. I buy it for family gatherings and dinner parties with folks that enjoy wines but are not geeks. This wine wins on those fronts. And it’s more interesting to serve my guests something other than Chard and Sav Blanc for a white selection. I usually have a glass then move on, but appreciate its broad appeal.

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Yeah, I would think that it is a pretty good wine for a social gathering as described. I am always on the look-out for whites from this area!

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I’ve only had the 2011 - maybe 7-8 times - and agree that I like it quite a bit though agree low acid and on the richer side but a very nice wine which was excellent QPR in my opinion. As I recall, I’d have pegged them between 90-92pts in my view.

Perfect for gatherings of non-wine geek folks - my father used it 2-3 times for that and it was consistently very well received.

5

We had a bottle of 2010 Gassier ‘Nostre Pais’ blanc [Costieres de Nimes] last night with grilled pork porterhouses, pear sauce, and endive salad. Lots of zinginess, stone fruit, some minerals. One could pick up the hint of the viognier in here. Long 40 second finish and a good food wine. The label states 14% abv, and has a beautiful, romantic painting on it. The SO quite liked it and wants to get this more often, I enjoyed it well enough but am not sure how often I’d really want this. I like viognier heavy blends more for Rhone whites, and this only has a dollop of that in it. As others would note, excellent value, and a nice wine for enthusiasts, as well as more casual consumers who are willing to stray from Chardonnay. For those who throw rocks at Phillipe Cambie, this cuvee is worth trying, since I found it well balanced, with acidity to go with the richness. B+ for me.

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Sounds good, Arv! Thanks for sharing. [cheers.gif]