The Wines
The Pacific Northwest is not only a very special place that offers a large variety of scenery, climate and wildlife but is also opportune for agriculture like wheat, orchards, hops and of course wine grapes of vitis vinifera. After producing many different wines in Washington, my French roots and the undeniable potential to make world-class Rhône wines in the Columbia Valley lead me towards producing a Rhône style terroir-driven wine; Côté Nicault. I currently produce two wines. The first is my GSM, a blend of Mourvèdre, Syrah and Grenache that has layers of New World richness and brightness with the complexity of Old World sophisticated balance and depth. The second is my “Full Disclosure” that is 100% Grenache and only produced when conditions are perfect for showcasing the characteristics of this varietal.
Drawing on my unique experience making wine alongside an All-Star team of winemakers at Long Shadows Vintners, I have used different winemaking techniques to further enhance each variety in this blend. The Mourvèdre is fermented in large French oak barrels then aged in a French concrete egg to fully highlight its backbone and spiciness. The Syrah is fermented in a 1.5 ton fermenter then aged in 500 liter French oak vessels to enhance its dark savory notes. The Grenache undergoes whole cluster native fermentation to capture its delicate perfume.
Since 1994, I have explored the diverse terroir of the Columbia Valley in search of the best sites. While I have made Côté Nicault wines from different vineyards over the years, I ultimately landed on sourcing and building long term relationships with growers from the Red Mountain AVA. The winemaker / grower relationship creates a true sense of place in my wines and ensures the highest quality year after year.
There are three (3) ways you can purchase Côté Nicault wines
2019 G S M
48% Grenache ~ 36% Syrah ~ 16% Mourvèdre
$85/bottle
Tasting Notes: The 2019 Côté Nicault is another striking example of how Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre complement each other perfectly when carefully blended. Reminiscent of the Chateauneuf Du Pape region in the Rhône Valley, this wine delivers a multilayered aromatic profile and complex mouthfeel that includes the perfumy notes and refined texture of Grenache, the dark, spicy side of Syrah - with its opulent mid-palate and the peppery character of Mourvèdre, whose structure and vibrancy elevate the overall tasting experience.
The grapes’ character and expressive terroir benefit from traditional winemaking techniques like whole cluster fermentation and extended maceration to develop a profound wine with distinctive texture and aroma. Notes of freshly crushed pink peppercorn, dried blueberries, savory herbs, and red plum lead to a lively, full mid-palate. Flavors of ripe black mission figs, black olive tapenade, and hints of cured meats exemplify Gilles’ roots in Provence. The finish is vibrant and long-lasting.
Vintage: The 2019 vintage produced excellent red wines of exceptional quality and consistency. The season started slowly. Unexpected late winter snow held on until mid-March, and as a result, soils were slow to warm; April bud break was delayed, but by May, the temperatures climbed to accelerate bloom. Summer weather was mild with no heat spikes, and the temperatures stayed moderate into the fall. Grapes ripened slowly, but the pace allowed the fruit to reach full physiological maturity, resulting in a vintage notable for its fresh, elegant style.
Winemaking: A variety of fermentation and aging techniques were used to build Côté Nicault’s layered complexity. One-third of the grapes were whole-cluster fermented to enhance the wine’s viscosity. A terra-cotta amphora was used to age Mourvèdre and capture the grape’s Old-World character, a perfect complement to the perfume-scented aromas of the Grenache, aged in 500L oak barrels. New and used French oak barrels developed the dark, spicy character of the Syrah. Then finally, after 18 months in the cellar, the blend was assembled, bottled, and aged to perfection for two years before release.
Vineyards: 2019 Côté Nicault showcases the best of the Red Mountain’s Rhône varieties, grapes that love the growing region’s heat and soil profile. Sourced primarily from Red Heaven Vineyard, a southwestern facing site, the vineyard is ideally suited to grow Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, with outstanding character and flavor.
Alcohol: 14.9% pH: 3.89 TA: 0.57
Production: 309 cases