Domaine Les Cassanets 2021

Domaine Les Cassanets is something of a buying coup. Launched to great acclaim with the medal-winning 2009, it has won a Gold medal nearly every vintage since. Labelled humble Côtes du Rhône, the domaine is in fact within Châteauneuf-du-Pape – but century-old politics prevent it from being upgraded. The domaine’s famous Châteauneuf neighbours are Châteaux de Beaucastel and Rayas, and 100-Parker-point Clos du Caillou. Same grapes, same terroir, same style of wine. And winemaker Thierry Ferlay lavishes the same attention on Cassanets as on his award-winning Châteauneuf. From a century-old family estate, it is big, rich and spicy – the only giveaway that this isn’t Châteauneuf is the price. Decant and serve with roast lamb, game or cassoulet.