WINE OF THE WEEK: Guigal Côtes du Rhône 2021/2020, Rhône, France

£11.95–£13.49, The Wine Society, Sainsbury's, Majestic, Tesco, Waitrose

I recommended the 2020 vintage of this in my Festive Red Wine Guide in December saying, among other things, that it’s a wine that develops well for several years.

I still have at least half a dozen bottles of the 2019 in the cellar and am in no hurry to drink them and you may well see 2017 and 2018 in independent merchants: as long as they haven’t been hanging around under hot lights, time will have been kind to them.

One of the reasons for the wine’s longevity is that it’s at least 50% Syrah, whereas most red Côtes du Rhônes are based on Grenache, with Syrah in a minority role.

I've now tasted the 2021 and am delighted to say that Guigal – run today by third-generation Philippe Guigal and his wife – have once again delivered the goods. Not that I expected anything else, but 2021 was a challenging growing season.

This latest release has the usual fullness, generosity and velvet-smooth tannins, with bright, briary raspberry and black fruit streaked with Christmas cake spices, black olive, dark chocolate and liquorice.

It’s a full-bodied red that can partner roast and casseroled red meat and game and hearty cassoulets but, because the tannins are gentle, it can also be paired with lighter dishes. I was served it with a chicken and olive casserole and the two were well matched. It’s good with the sweetness of squashes and root vegetables too. 14.5%.

Guigal Côtes du Rhône 2021/2020, Rhône, France

£11.95, The Wine Society; £13 (£11 with Nectar), Sainsbury’s; £12.99 in any six bottles, Majestic; £13, Tesco; £13.49, Waitrose

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