Saint Cosme Côtes du Rhône

Louis Barruol's Château de Saint Cosme sits in Gigondas, where the family has farmed since 1570. This Côtes du Rhône is his outlier: essentially all Syrah, fermented with whole bunches and raised in tank rather than oak, so nothing gets in the way of the fruit.

Opaque purple, with black olive, cracked pepper and violet over dense blackberry. Structured but juicy, and a serious step up from the usual Grenache-led Côtes du Rhône. Good with lamb, grilled sausage or anything off the barbecue.