Domaine Gassier Lou Coucardie Rouge 2015
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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.
Blend: 50% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache, 20% Syrah
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Always a Mourvèdre dominated cuvée, the 2015 Costières de Nîmes Lou Coucardié is a big, sweetly fruited, plum and sexy beast of a wine that offers lots of black raspberries, spiced plums, incense and cured meats. Big, full-bodied, unctuous and sweetly fruited, with a rounded texture, low acidity, and a good finish, Drink it over the coming decade or more. This was made with 50% stems and brought up in once used demi-muids.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The full-bodied, richly tannic 2015 Costieres de Nimes Lou Coucardie is a blend of 50% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache and 20% Syrah aged in 600-liter demi-muids. At the moment, it's a bit dark and monolithic, resembling black cherry liqueur, but given its makeup, I expect it to develop additional complexity over the next 5 years. Certainly, the long, velvety finish suggests at least a bit of ageability.
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Wine Enthusiast
Heady notes of cinnamon, vanilla and smoke lend sizzle to this bold, unctuous blend of Mourvèdre, Grenache and Syrah. A glossy, hedonistic sip, it fills the palate with sun-drenched black-currant and cassis. Fine, delicate tannins and a hint of sage linger on the finish.
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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.