From old vines Syrah and Grenache, the red 2006 Costieres de Nimes Terre d’Argence smells of tiny purple plums, licorice, juniper, and sage. Impressively dense and fine-grained on the palate, it mingles a vivid sense of wet stones with its concentration of plum, cassis, and intense herbs. The aforementioned themes reprise for a long finish, and there is ample promise here of at least 2-3 years interesting further bottle evolution. Importer: David Bowler Wine, tel: 212-807-1680, www.bowlerwine.com