Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France — approx. 90% Grenache, 5% Mourvèdre, 5% Syrah
Lively aromas of ripe blackberries, dark cherries, kirsch and a hint of smoky spice and lavender. On the palate it delivers full-bodied richness, plush but firm tannins, and a generous texture that carries savoury herbal notes (thyme, rosemary) and a mineral finish. Serve with Provençal-style herb-roast leg of lamb, game hen with garlic and rosemary, aged comté or a rustic wild mushroom risotto topped with truffle shavings. Hand-picked grapes are fermented with maceration and then matured for roughly 8-12 months in concrete tanks to retain pure fruit-terroir expression (with minimal new oak).