2010 Michel Gassier "Cercius" Côtes-du-Rhône Vieilles Vignes

“Wow, is this an exciting wine! This sensational wine tastes more like Chateauneuf du Pape than just about any Cotes du Rhone one is likely to find. It is also another example of what looks to be another great vintage emerging from the southern Rhone – 2010. This is one of the greatest Cotes du Rhones I have ever tasted – wonderfully intense, deep ruby with some purple tinges, with a stunning nose of black raspberry liqueur intermixed with sweet cherries, licorice, pepper and Provencal lavender. Round, generous, opulent and heady, this fabulously intense, hedonistic wine should be drunk over the next 3-4 years. Bravo! (RP)” (06/2011)

“Absolutely brilliant and a ridiculous value, the 2010 Michel Gassier Côtes du Rhône Cercius is a custom made cuvee that’s put together by Michel Gassier, Philippe Cambie, and importer Eric Solomon. A blend of 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah that comes from older vines, it boasts knockout, savory aromas of blackberries, plum sauce, licorice, dusty earth, and garrigue on the nose. Opening up over the evening (and just as good on the second day), this beautifully put together Côtes du Rhône is medium to full-bodied, has solid concentration through the mid-palate, notable freshness, and a chewy, broad finish. This can be found at less than 15 bucks a bottle, and the amount of wine you get for the money is something!” (03/2012)