296. Château Mont-Redon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 2003

£9.90, 14.5%

A good Châteauneuf courtesy of the Diageo staff shop (interestingly Selfridges’ own label Châteauneuf appears in the same, uniquely shaped bottle). Mid-pale ruby-garnet with a wide rosy rim. Fairly intense cocoa powder and toasty notes of vanilla initially, with some herbaceous hints. Opened into rich crème caramel over black? cherry. Warm red fruit palate with some peppery spice. Gentle tannic bite and moderate acidity. A good, early, easy drinking wine due to somewhat creamy palate. Nice.