A beautiful Syrah (there’s 15% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre), the 2013 Costières de N?mes Terre d’Argence comes from a mix of limestone and rolled stone soils and spent 18 months in tank. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by abundant dark fruits, chocolate, licorice and peppery herb-like aromas and flavors. These flow to a medium-bodied, balanced and beautifully textured 2013 that has tons of charm, sweet tannin and a great finish. At 19 bucks it’s a steal.

The 2010 Costieres De Nimes Terre d’Argence is comprised of 90% Syrah and 5% each of Grenache and Carignan. Aged mostly in concrete tank (35% in wooden tank and 5% in barrel), it’s an impressive effort that exhibits loads of crushed rock like minerality, damp earth, tobacco leaf and darker styled fruits on both the nose and palate. Medium-bodied, balanced and with notable depth and structure, it’s a rock solid bottle of wine that will drink nicely for 5-6 years. Importer: Paul Young Fine Wines

Bigger, richer, fuller and deeper, the 2009 Terre d’Argence is fashioned from 40-year old Syrah vines (85%) and old vine Grenache (15%). A dark ruby/purple color is followed by blackberry, cassis, lavender and damp earth-like characteristics. Spicy, dense, pure and elegant as well as fleshy, succulent and seductive, it will provide plenty of pleasure over the next 3-4 years. One of the many excellent small estates in the Costieres de Nimes is Mourgues du Gres, which has been a perennial entry in the “best value” sections of this journal.Importer: Peter Weygandt, Weygandt-Metzler, Unionville, PA; tel. (610) 486-0800

The more powerful, opaque ruby/purple-tinged 2008 Terre d’Argence is composed of 85% Syrah and the rest Grenache and Carignan (75% aged in tank and 25% in neutral French oak). With abundant garrigue, plum, licorice, black currant, and black cherry fruit as well as silky tannins, this broad, deep, soft 2008 should drink well for 2-3 years. Costieres de Nimes, an appellation centered around the ancient Roman settlement of Nimes, just south of Chateauneuf du Pape, remains one of France’s top sources for value wines. Chateau Mourgues du Gres has been producing successful wines for as long as I’ve been tasting in this region, and their current portfolio includes two strong whites, two strong roses, and a bevy of delicious reds. The 2009 Fleur d’Eglantine rose includes 30% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah, whereas the 2009 Galets Rose has 40% Syrah and much less Mourvedre. Both wines contain 50% Grenache. Both are outstanding roses that are vinified in stainless steel and bottled early to preserve their fruit and freshness.Importer: Peter Weygandt, Weygandt-Metzler, Coatesville, PA; tel. (610) 486-0800; fax (610) 486-6452