Lot presentation

Costières de Nîmes G.S. Chƒteau Grande Cassagne 1998

The wine

The Costières de Nîmes vineyard lies on sunny slopes to the north of Camargue, in a 40 kilometre long area between Meynes and Vauvert and 10 kilometres across between Saint-Gilles and Beaucaire. This is the Languedoc's most easterly appellation. The soil is characterised by Villefranche gravel: alluviums made up of pebbles, gravel and sand deposited by the Rhône. Low-lying and located by the sea, the area enjoys a temperate Mediterranean climate. The wines made from the slopes in the southern area by the sea are powerful and robust, while wines from the slopes facing the Nîmes garrigues are more supple, lively and fruity. They are available in the three colours: the whites are mostly based on Grenache and Clairette with the addition of Marsanne, Roussanne and Rolle. They allow the floral and citrus notes to really shine through and are relatively rounded and full-bodied. The rosés are fruity, delicate and fairly fleshy. Finally, the red wines, accounting for most of the production here, are made from Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache Noir, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Their nose is evocative of small red berries and stone fruits as well as candied fruits, spices and cocoa with a touch of violet brought by the Syrah. Their tannins are supple, forming a warm, complex whole.