An excellent example of the soft, spicy and very drinkable style which makes Cotes du Rhone so popular. A versatile red which will be most enjoyable served with simple meat based casseroles or cheese.

The Guigal family owns vineyards in prime locations throughout the Appellations of Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Hermitage and Saint-Joseph from where their iconic wines are produced. The Guigal cellars are located in the centre of the town of Ampuis, on the right bank of the Rhône River, about 40 km south of Lyon. The Côtes du Rhône region stretches 200 km from Vienne in the north to Avignon in the south. Côtes-du-Rhône is the workhorse red of the southern Rhône Valley and is blended from up to 13 grape varieties, but usually leans heavily on grenache and syrah (Shiraz). Deep, bright, garnet-red in colour, it is a fresh, crisp wine with small soft fruit and spices. A full-bodied, elegant wine, with mellow tannins, warmth and aromatic intensity.

This Pinot Noir is cultivated in the heart of the French Ardèche region, vineyard marked by its cool climate and high altitude. Buis D'Aps is a locality in the town of Alba La Romaine, around which this Pinot Noir is grown, on clay-limestone soils. This cuvée is the fruit of rigorous work: limited yields, thinning at the start of summer, exclusively manual harvest. After a long maceration of 2 to 3 weeks, part of the harvest is aged in oak barrels. Fresh nose, seductive, very cherry, small catchy tannins well coated, floral finish, fresh vegetal, superb character. A beautiful discovery.

Michel Chapoutier continues to produce wines of unbelievable value and his Cotes du Rhône is the leader of the pack. For under $20, medium bodied reds don't get better than this.

Powerful nose dominated by red fruits and delicate aromas of wood.

A delicious Syrah developed from hand picked grapes of vines planted on terraces of granitic sand in Northern Cotes-du-Rhone. Flavours of black fruits and morello cherry are abundant and match fantastically with red meats, game birds or unpasteurized milk cheeses. A true delight.