Côté Nicault

The 2020 Côté Nicault is a seductive mélange of near equal parts Mourvèdre, Syrah and Grenache - all hailing from the Red Haven Vineyard on Red Mountain. Stored in a combination of new and used French oak and terracotte botti, this offers really good richness and tension. Smoked beef ribs, Hoisin sauce, black currants and garrigue notes all combine twith loads of mouth-watering acidity. Coming off clean, this is a rich and broad-shouldered wine that is drinking marvelously now. No reason to cellar this beauty. Drink 2024-2030.

This handsome Rhòne-style blend is a project of Long Shadows winemaker Gilles Nicault that blends 34% Grenache, 34% Mourvèdre and 32% Syrah after aging each in different sizes and materials of wood and terra cotta vessels for combining just before bottling. The wine is big and broad, moderately tannic and deep in red and black fruits, earthy spices and chocolate.