A fragrant crisp blend of 70% Grenache Blanc and 30% Sauvignon the 2009 Michel Gassier Côtes du Rhone Villages Visan Cercius Blanc comes from 25-year old vines located on the southern edge of the Rhône valley near the town of Nimes. Aged on lees and all in concrete the wine delivers outstanding aromas of green herbs well water lime and edgy background minerality that really frames the wine. Medium bodied and beautifully crisp and focused on the palate with vibrant acidity and a clean refreshing finish this delicious white improves with air and is hard to put down. It's perfect for a summer day or for starting a meal and should drink well for 1-3 years.

The shockingly good white wines include the 2009 Cercius Blanc a blend of 70% Grenache Blanc and 30% Sauvignon Blanc all aged in concrete prior to bottling. Light straw-colored with a greenish hue it exhibits attractive freshness along with plenty of melony fruit intermixed with honeyed citrus white currants and flowers. Medium-bodied and long with some underlying minerality intertwined with its delightful fruit character it should provide plenty of pleasure over the next 12-18 months.