The 2007 Costieres de Nimes Tradition, a blend of 45% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, and the rest Carignan, is a classic Provencal offering. Notes of pepper, garrigue, black cherries, black currants, licorice, and earth jump from the glass of this medium-bodied, richly fruity, well-made effort. Consume it over the next 2-3 years. One of the Costieres de Nimes’s top estates for quality and value, Mas Neuf is run by Luc Baudet.Importers: Barterhouse, New York, NY; tel. (917) 463-3076; and Paul M. Young Fine Wines, Los Angeles, CA; tel. (323) 222-2003

The 2006 Costieres de Nimes Tradition blanc is a blend of Grenache blanc and Roussanne, with 85% of the former. Totally fermented and aged in stainless steel, the wine is fresh, with notes of white currants, spring flowers, and hints of licorice and quince. This medium-bodied, elegant wine is best drunk over the next 6-9 months. One of the best estates in this up-and-coming region, known for high quality and fair prices, is Chateau Mas Neuf. It is a large estate with proprietor Luc Baudet owning 150+ acres of vineyard. The quality of these wines is consistently good and the prices reasonable.Importer: Kysela Pere et Fils, Winchester, VA; tel. (540) 722-9228

The 2005 Costieres de Nimes Tradition, a blend of 45% Syrah, 25% Grenache, and the rest Mourvedre and Carignan, aged mostly in tank with some exposure to barrel (only 15%), is a straightforward, bistro-styled red with notes of Provencal herbs, cherries, strawberries, and licorice. This medium-bodied wine should be drunk over the next 2-3 years. One of the best estates in this up-and-coming region, known for high quality and fair prices, is Chateau Mas Neuf. It is a large estate with proprietor Luc Baudet owning 150+ acres of vineyard. The quality of these wines is consistently good and the prices reasonable.Importer: Kysela Pere et Fils, Winchester, VA; tel. (540) 722-9228