Michel Gassier Lou Coucardié Blanc 2016

Despite being fully barrel fermented in mainly new oak, the 2016 Costieres de Nimes Blanc Lou Coucardie shows very little overt wood. Instead, this blend of Viognier, Roussanne and Grenache Blanc delivers aromas of crushed shells and fresh flowers, ample stone fruit and pear flavors and a lingering citrus and ginger-spiced finish. It's medium to full-bodied but carries its weight well, never seeming heavy, and finishing fresh and clean. - Joe Czerwinski. 

Equal parts Roussanne and Grenache Blanc blended with a smaller proportion of Viognier, this is a rich, mouthfilling dry white. The palate is fresh and lemony, accented by hazelnut, vanilla and smoke hints. It lingers on a long, honeycomb- and blossom-laced finish.

From the Bec vineyard located in the southern part of the appellation, the 2016 Costières de Nîmes Blanc Lou Coucardié is another tour de force from this appellation. Buttered apple, orange blossom, hints of apricot and spice all give way to rich, fleshy, yet fresh and pure white that's going to shine on the dinner table. This cuvée is 40% each of Grenache Blanc and Roussanne, with the balance Viognier, aged on lees in 500-liter barrels.