The 2004 Costieres de Nimes rouge is a blend of equal parts Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, and Carignan revealing aromas of pepper, dried herbs, soil, blackberries, and currants. This soft, easy-going, medium-bodied red is best consumed over the next 1-2 years. Importer: Kysela Pere et Fils, Winchester, VA; tel (540) 722-9228

The 2003 Costieres de Nimes rouge possesses loads of body, a generous, corpulent mouthfeel, and oodles of black cherry and cassis fruit, pepper, and garrigue characteristics. Importer: Kysela Pere et Fils, Winchester, VA; tel (540) 722-9228

The medium dark ruby-colored 2002 Costieres de Nimes red (65% Syrah, 25% Grenache, and 10% Mourvedre) is a respectable effort for the vintage. Possessing peppery red fruit, a good attack, and a slightly compressed finish (no doubt because of harvest rains), it should drink well for 1-2 years. Importer: Kysela Pere et Fils, Winchester, VA; tel. (540) 722-9228

The difference in vintage conditions is obvious with the 2001 Costieres de Nimes red. It is a more textured, fuller, sweeter effort than the 2002, displaying a deeper ruby color as well as additional ripeness, volume, and depth. Drink it over the next 2-3 years.Importer: Kysela Pere et Fils, Winchester, VA; tel. (540) 722-9228