Château Ramage La Batisse 2009

Given that this family owned estate lies just a short stroll from Châteaux Lafite and Mouton Rothschild, you might expect its wines to command hefty prices. Fortunately for us - and you - Château Ramage La Batisse lies just outside the Pauillac boundaries, making its bottle price far more attractive to the average wine lover. Georges Pauli - a winemaker of world renown - is consultant here and in 2009 was gifted a near-perfect vintage. Perhaps then it should be no surprise to learn this remarkable red added another five Golds to the family's impressive trophy cabinet. With all the classic hallmarks of Haut-Médoc claret - cedar wood, cassis and liquorice complexity - it's ripe, rounded and harmonious. Superb with game casserole or rare beef.