• The following 2016 Château de Nages ‘JT’ sourced fruit—93% syrah/7% mourvèdre—from their best parcels of land in the extreme north of their appellation. This is the best vintage (2016) their winemaker has experienced in his 23 years of winemaking.

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Château de Nages ‘JT’ Costiéres de Nîmes 2016

AOC Costiéres de Nîmes $26.95 (736876) 14.5% alcohol
Michel Gassier, a top doyen in the southern Rhône Valley, fashioned this certified-organic beauty from 93% syrah/7% Mourvèdre in the bourgeoning region of Costiéres de Nîmes. Grilled savoury herbs, pipe tobacco and black plum aromas provide segue to a flavour-filled, tang-infused tsunami wave of crunchy red fruit—pie cherry and cranberry—intertwined with notions of bramble berry pie and plenty of pizzazz. It’s medium-plus bodied with good mouthfeel and showcases persistent purity of fruit, a long finish and dry, lip-smacking aftertaste. Pour alongside osso buco or grilled back ribs mopped with spicy barbecue sauce. (Vic Harradine)