(2023) I once bought a lot of Costières du Nîmes, finding fabulous value for a Syrah-based red from the Rhône Valley, albeit a very southerly extension that borders the Camargue. It was also interesting to taste this £14, 14.5% alcohol Syrah immediately alongside a £14, 14.5% Syrah from the Barossa in Australia (The St Hallett 'Faith' 2020). This is immediately focused on bright fruit rather than barrel, buoyant with an almost Beaujolais-like edge. In the mouth there's plenty of sweet, ripe, blackberry fruit, but it is much more nimble than the Australian example, fresh cherry acidity and fine tannins presenting a harmonious if straightforward picture.
(2022) Syrah from the northern Rhône, made for the Society by Maison et Domaines les Alexandrins, it was aged six months on fine lees in stainless steel and neutral oak. Vivid and deep crimson/purple in colour, the nose is tightly-wound and slightly impenetrable at this stage. In the mouth really nice fruit that is much more vivid, plum and blueberry, a little peppery spice, and a composed finish. Quite serious and sinewy for a Crozes, but needs food.
(2022) Plan de Dieu is one of the Côtes du Rhône-Villages appellations, and this is a blend of very old vine Syrah, Carignan and Mourvèdre. It has a very appealing nose, filled with blueberry and spicy red plum fruit, forward and elegantly sprinkled with white pepper. In the mouth there's a really juicy, lip-smacking fruit quality, the 14.5% alcohol, chunky tannins and nicely-pitched acidity adding deep support. Please note, this 2018 vintage has sold out and the 2019 is now shipping.
(2021) I've long had a fondness for the wines of Costières de Nîmes, way down in the southern Rhône close to the Camargue and Provence. This is a typical blend of Syrah and Grenache, matured in concrete vats with no oak influence, the colour is an astonishingly vibrant crimson/purple verging on black. What a gorgeous nose; a pot-pourri of flowers, spices and the herb-strewn hillsides of Provence sitting atop ripe blackberry fruit. In the mouth a blackcurrant or blueberry jam sweetness and depth, then a big kick of sandy tannin adds seriousness. Ripe cherry acidity keeps the picture alert and delicious, in a sun-filled and totally delicious style.
(2021) One of the stars of this selection, as it should be given it is also the most expensive. Gigondas is close to Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the southern Rhône Valley and makes broadly similar wines from the same grape varieties like Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. This is all dark, rich bambles and black forest gateau on the nose, spice and meaty, velvety black fruits the order of the day. In the mouth it carries a fair clout: 14% abv is typical for this appellation, here adding a touch of heat to the smooth, sweet, black-fruit flavours of the palate. Robust tannins and acidity kick in towards the finish.
(2018) In search of a moderately-priced wine to recommend for Christmas dinner 2019, I tried various rather disappointing Pinot Noir wines at around the £10 - £12 mark, but this unpretentious Côtes du Rhône hit the spot - and is only £8.99 on Majestic's familiar 'Mixed six' pricing. Based on Grenache blended with typical local varieties like Syrah and Mourvèdre, it has a buoyant, cherry and herb-filled nose with lots of lift and brightness. In the mouth it is medium-bodied and softly approachable despite 14% alcohol, but there's a creaminess and chocolate-touched depth before that fresh red fruit character and nip of rustic tannin kick in. Gentle enough for roast turkey, but fine for goose or even roast beef if that's your festive choice.
(2018) A more or less equal blend of northern Rhône Syrah and southern Rhône Grenache, this comes from 60-year-old vines and is a fine, savoury Côtes du Rhône of quite some style. It is only lightly oaked (I suspect only seeing oak in the form of older and bigger casks), and is liquorice-deep and earthy, but has a fine blueberry and ripe damson plum weight of fruit. Aromatically, it also flits between nuances of goût de terroir and a red fruit lift. On the palate that natural old-vine concentration is effortless, always juicy with its supple, fine tannin and acid structure. Long, the savoury character makes it very broadly food-friendly. Watch the video for specific food matching ideas, and more information on this wine and producer.
(2017) From vineyards surrounding the hill of Hermitage in the northern Rhône Valley, this is produced by the Tain co-operative, a high quality but massive player, who bottle 50% of all Crozes-Hermitage - you will see various of their labels in UK supermarkets and merchants. This has classic northern Rhône aromatics with a whiff of grilled bacon fat, solid black fruit and a roasted chestnut earthiness. In the mouth it is agile and limber, a lovely acid cut to the black fruit, the ripeness offset by tight tannins and that earthy, lightly smoky character from partial barrel ageing. Watch the video for food-matching ideas and more information.
(2017) The wine commemorates Tom Simpson, and English rider, Olympian and first British cyclist to don the yellow jersey in the Tour de France. Sadly, he collapsed and died on the rigorous Mont de Ventoux climb in the subsequent Tour aged just 29. A donation from each bottle sold goes towards the upkeep of his memorial. The wine is mostly Syrah with a little Grenache, opening with a ripe and nicely lifted nose of red plums and violet, a bright fruit character with a hint of white pepper. In the mouth it is full, ripe and serious, a little creaminess detected on the nose giving way to a more taut, mineral-infused palate, but that gives lovely drive towards the finish.
(2016) Regarded as the most powerful of the Côtes-du-Rhône Villages, this Cairanne weighs in with 15% alcohol and certainly packs plenty of oomph. The nose has lots of black fruit, but a meatiness too, some herb and pepper hints, but it immediately strikes a muscular pose. Indeed, muscularity runs through the wine in the mouth, with plenty of structural tannin and a grip of acidity underpinning the ripe, savoury but sweet fruit. A huge mouthful of wine, and a very good one. Watch the video for more information and food-matching suggestions.
