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The label's also been a favourite of the papacy since 1958, when Pope John XXII blessed Cuvée du Vatican. Their gorgeously rich and spicy Réserve Côtes du Rhône is a delicious way to experience this very fine estate at an excellent price. Look forward to red berry jam, tobacco, wood smoke and wild herb complexity. Superb.
Vines have been planted in this very southerly part of the Rhône since Roman times. They certainly knew a thing or two about making wine, so it’s safe to bet that this terroir is spot on for great wine! Typically, when you think of the Rhône you think of Syrah and Grenache. But award-winning winemaker Thierry Ferlay has shown that, in fact, Bordeaux's Merlot ripens perfectly in his local vineyards, not far from Châteauneuf.
Using old-vine fruit for extra intensity, he has created a silky red with plum and blackberry notes and a hint of pepper and liquorice. Easy going and fruity, it makes a delicious glassful on its own as well as a great stand by for mid-week suppers from sausages to shepherd's pie. A top choice for a barbecue too.
As far back as 1982, the founder of this cellar, Pablo Morandé, was discovering the benefits of Chile's great coastal-cooled regions. That was a decade before anyone else. He set up his winery in 1996 and has won scores of awards since then, including being five times Chile's Winery of the Year. Pablo was also named a 'Winemaking Legend' by MW Tim Atkin in 2017, while James Suckling called his "a leading and innovative winery", "a bold, experimental winemaking adventure project".
His winemaker is Jorge Martinez, who has worked at cellars worldwide, including Napa's Kendall Jackson and Pauillac's Léoville Poyferré. Carignan from 40-year-old vines in the warm Maule valley, this is a velvety, dark, spiced red. An ideal match with lamb shanks.
Pinot Noir is a finicky grape, choosy as to where it'll grow. So there are very few places in the world beyond its homeland of Burgundy where it reaches the peak of its silky, beautifully perfumed perfection. California’s coastal region is one of them and that's just where we found the delicious Purple Owl. The wine has the perfect combination of supple, ripe fruit, freshness and elegance.
Named after the shaggy purple flowers that carpet much of central and southern California, like masses of tiny purple brushes, it’s a special wine and one Pinot fans love for its silky texture, generous berry flavours and soft touch of oak. A fine match with chicken in red wine, spicy roasted vegetables, with feta and couscous or sipped all on its own.
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