Michel Tardieu has produced an amazing 1999 Costieres de Nimes (a blend of Syrah, Carignan, and Grenache). This black/purple-colored effort has soaked up its 100% new oak aging, saturating the palate with exceptional ripeness, richness, and unctuosity. It is an amazing effort that should develop for a decade, although its low acidity and high levels of glycerin and succulence suggest it will drink well young. A Patrick Lesec Selection (Paris fax # 011 33 1 42 84 38 22), various American importers, including Adventures in Wine, Daly City, CA; tel. (415) 467-0130, Atlantic Importing Co., Newton, MA; tel. (617) 965-2933, Fine Vines LLC, Maywood, IL; tel. (708) 343-5901, and New Castle Imports, Myrtle Beach, SC; tel. (843) 497-8625