Boutinot Les Coteaux Schisteux, Séguret (France)

A classic Séguret - about as good as Côtes du Rhône Villages gets!

The nose is opulent and polished with layers of exotic spices, cigar box, cracked black pepper and streaked with vanilla. The palate is instantly appealing, polished and smooth on entry but steeped in depth and texture as the flavours swirl around, lengthen and delight. The lasting impression is satisfying - a big and opulent Grenache-driven wine with obvious oak quality (22 months in French oak), great structure, length and finish.

Boutinot’s love affair with the Southern Rhône spans thirty years of making wine in the region. In 2010, the relationship was sealed with the purchase of a winery and vineyards above the village of Cairanne. Domaine Boutinot’s seven vineyards are planted with classic southern Rhône grape varieties – old vine Grenache Noir and Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan Noir – and they all sit within the Cairanne Cru boundaries.

Match to big hearty casseroles, in winter try a lamb tagine with couscous; in summer a rich ratatouille topped with grilled tofu, or simply serve with a plate of mature hard cheese.