2010 DOMAINE DE PERILLIERE COSTIÈRES DE NÎMES - YOU'VE COME A LONG WAY BABY

Thanks to the strength of the Australian dollar, we have seen an explosion of imported wines in Australia. The south of France is a great source of well made moderately priced wines, evidenced by this very good Costières de Nîmes.

This Syrah-heavy blend (the balance being Grenache) delivers plenty of flavour and a modicum of complexity for less than $25. More particularly, is it is well balance, savoury and food friendly. This is the sort of wine that will win many over to the virtues of French wine.

It is another great effort from the team at the Cave des Vignerons Esterzargues and further proof of the progress being made in improving the quality of wines across Europe. While much of the attention is focused on great wines of Bordeaux, Burgundy and the like, we often forget just how much generic wines such as these have improved in the past couple of decades.

2010 COSTIÈRES DE NÎMES
Producer: Domaine de Perillière
Variety: Grenache et al
Vintage: 2010
Region: Southern Rhône, France
ABV: 14.0%
Closure: Natural cork
Retail Price: $23.00
Date tasted: 26 February 2013

Tasting Note:
Deep cherry red. Vibrant nose of damson, kirsch, raspberry, anise and white pepper. Dry, medium bodied and fruit forward. Quite straightforward, but no unattractive; palate much the same as the nose. Good length and excellent value for money for a southern French red that delivers above average depth of flavour and complexity. Definitely more than just a mindless quaffer.
Score: 16/20