Southern Rhône

So, the real opening was with this – chosen to compliment a main course of game (rabbit, pheasant, venison and squirrel) and beef-shin stew. …

One of 3 reds I brought for Whippet’s leaving BBQ, as I figured it’d be at maturity, and good for meat – both of …

Dessert was a superb, dense chocolate mousse, with caramel ice cream, and red fruit sauces. After an initial thought of tawny Port to match …

The first bottle of this left me a bit ‘meh’, but the second, served on its own, showed real interest & quality. Phew! I’ll …

Dad and I dropped in here after Ventoux (it’s very close) and tasted the range at the cave co-operative, which is a class operation. …

Also picked up in Gigondas itself, a day before (or maybe the afternoon after) riding up Mont Ventoux. Dad was less of a fan …

Given to me as a ‘freebie’ (having bought two cases of their Réserve Sixtine at €40 / bottle…) from Mme Diffonty at the Domaine, …

An unexpected Châteauneuf, this one – relatively light bodied, red-fruited and fresh / high acidity – compared with some of the concentrated blockbusters that …

For my first ’98 Châteauneuf, this was rather disappointing (albeit better a day later, with some oxidation). Mid-depth garnet core, with a medium-width brick …

First bottle of this was subtly corked, which was extra-annoying because I could see the quality smothered by the TCA. But the POTG lads …