Chateau des Fines Roches Chateauneuf du Pape 2017

Lusciously Textured & Rich

If there’s one wine to put a smile on your face when you’re reaching for a red with plenty of ripe fruit, a swirl of spicy aromas and a lush and lusty texture, then look no further than Chateauneuf du Pape. With a colorful past firmly entwined in Papal history, the name translates to “the new castle of the Pope,” which is why you’ll find estate-bottled examples still bear the Papal coat of arms. Like painters with their color palette, winemakers here have a whopping 18 different grape varieties with which to craft their blend. In this cuvee, Grenache takes the lead by lending loads of red and black cherries, kirsch and strawberries. The darker, more powerful Mourvèdre swoops in to provide structure and depth and the fruitier Syrah gives this wine its signature black pepper spice. A combination of reputation, limited supply and expensive techniques makes Chateauneuf du Pape wines on the expensive side, to find one under $30 is simply a great bargain for a top tipple of the Rhone Valley.

Pro-Tip

To get the most of this wine’s enchanting aromas, give it some air by opening it an hour before serving or you can decant it.