The wines of Michel Gassier

[jazznut]

Let me mention a southern French vigneron well worth his salt... Michel Gassier.

Readers of my wine posts will perhaps recall my liking for M. Gassier's exceptional (both quality and price-wise) Château de Nages Cuvée Joseph Torres, an essentially Syrah-based wine. I've tasted, if not drunk my way through several bottles of, each and every vintage since 1997. And the recently released 2004 is every bit up to scratch. At under CDN$20, a consistently excellent choice.

Last year, I became acquainted with M. Gassier's Les Piliers (one Elk Twin has mentioned), a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Good? You bet! In fact, I'd take this over many a Bordeaux at twice (if not three times) the price... CDN$18. The recently marketed 2006 vintage is perhaps a tad less dense and more closed at the moment than the 2005, but incredibly balanced and stylish.

Just this week, I came across M. Gassier's special cuvée, entitled Lou Coucardié. Here, the main grape varieties are Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache, and the wine undergoes two years oak maturation. We're talking a little more cash, mind you (CDN$29.95). But I'm very much looking forward to putting the 2004 through its paces.

So there you go... Three exceptional-value red table wines well worth searching for.