Affordable Chateauneuf-du-Pape?! Yes, please!

From: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône, France

Varietal: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre

Tasting Notes: Perfumed aromas of bing cherry, sun-ripened raspberry, baked boysenberry, dried orange peel, and blood orange seamlessly meld with hints of clove, garrigue (especially rosemary and thyme), oil-cured black olive, sun-warmed crushed stone minerality, and a slight musk that adds aromatic depth and balance to this reds generous fruit. Each sip opens with vivid fruits, which layer upon the myriad of non-fruit flavors as the wine progresses towards a long finish with lingering moments of baking spice and candied ginger. Overall, you’ll find that this amazingly delicious and affordable Chateauneuf-du-Pape’s palate largely matches the nose, except that you’ll find that the wine leans into red-fruited flavors that favor freshness (as opposed to, say, baked blueberry pie in taste) with a dry, graduated lift on the finish than the nose may initially indicate.

Pairing: This wine will work its magic throughout all seasons. In summer, Châteauneuf-du-Pape shines alongside BBQ and anything off the grill, like grilled lamb on rosemary skewers, homemade burgers, steaks, and grilled veggies. During colder times, this will become magical next to braises, slow-cooked stews, and a warm fire. Lean into warming or bold spices and herbs like mint, rosemary, cinnamon, allspice, five-spice, and clove. If you love a bold red paired with fish, this wine presents the opportunity for pairing with a cumin-rubbed salmon. To highlight the seasonality of this wine at the height of spring and the beginning of summer, we’re sharing Alison Roman’s recipe for Spiced Lamb Chops With Fennel and Cucumber.