Domaine Gassier, Costières de Nîmes Blanc (Southern Rhone, France) “Lou Coucardié” 2021 ($35)

For lovers of white Châteauneuf-du-Pape but at a more accessible price, Lou Coucardié Blanc 2021 is a must-try. Bold and luxurious, it boasts ripe fruit flavors, big aromas, and a plush texture with a finish that seems to go on forever. The 2021 vintage is especially impressive, as it wasn’t made in 2022 due to a lack of the acidity that the winemakers strive for, but the 2021 Costières de Nîmes Blanc Lou Coucardié continues to impress. A blend of 40% Roussanne, 40% Viognier, and 20% Grenache Blanc, it greets the nose with hints of pencil shavings, honey, pineapple, and tangerine. The palate is incredibly dense, both soft and rich, with incredible acidity and focus.
94 Miranda Franco