Viña del Portillo Reserva Navarra 2017

With a family estate rooted in Burgundy and Beaujolais, Laurent Guillot could easily have stayed in this prestigious part of France and focused on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. However, he was keen to look further afield to the vineyards of better-value southern France where creative winemakers are much less bound by rules. And that’s where he’s stayed, coaxing out delicate fruit elegance from the likes of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault for reds and Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Mauzac and friends for whites. Chais du Moulin is a ripe, silky blend of raspberry-rich Grenache, blackberry-scented Syrah with the herby red fruits of Cinsault. This is a very enjoyable, easy-going red to sip on its own or alongside roast chicken or a vegetable gratin.