Highly Recommended (continued) 90–94pts

Domaine de L’Amauve, La Daurèle, Côtes du Rhône Villages Séguret 2016 91 SF 92 LR 89 MW 91 £14.95

Earle Wines Attractive aromatics of lime and elderflower frame a hint of jasmine on the nose, then the palate is lifted by an intense apricot fruit that’s well integrated, complementing its long finish.

Drink 2017-2019 Alc 13% Mas Carlot, Costières de Nîmes 2016 91 SF 92 LR 90 MW 92 £11-£11.25

H2Vin, Terra Wines, Vagabond A fascinating blend. Fresh and blossomy, broad and flowing with good concentration and balance. It has a long, mineral-driven finish, complete, harmonious and delicious. This is an excellent example. Drink 2017-2019 Alc 13.5% Château Juvenal, Les Ribes du Vallat, Ventoux 2015 90 SF 92 LR 90 MW 89 £12.60 The Big Red Wine Co Calls to mind summer Mediterranean meadows and freshly mown grass. Peach, apricot and mango fruits dominate the palate, complemented by a rich, oily, textured finish.

Drink 2017-2022 Alc 13.5% Domaine Brusset, L’Esprit de Papet, Cairanne 2015 90 SF 90 LR 92 MW 88 £18 The Big Red Wine Co An unashamedly hedonistic wine, this is fulsome and honeyed with patisserie-like character. There’s an extra layer of refined, smoky fruits and a fresh citric finish, leaving the palate cleansed. Drink 2017-2020 Alc 14% Domaine Giraud, Les Gallimardes, Châteauneuf-duPape 2016 91 SF 90 LR 90 MW 94 N/A UK

www.domainegiraud.fr Lime leaf, citrus pith and subtle grainy oak spice open this wine, followed by a scenic orchard of Conference pears and finely defined acid. It’s very appetising and drinkable. Drink 2017-2024 Alc 14.5% Tardieu-Laurent, Guy Louis, Côtes du Rhône 2015 91 SF 90 LR 92 MW 90 £17.35 Corney & Barrow Fresh on the nose with oak spice. It has a citric grip; crab-apple, gorse and greengage in support; finely etched acidity runs through its veins. Drink 2017-2019 Alc 14% Château L’Ermitage, Ste Cécile Blanc, Costières de Nîmes 2016 90 SF 91 LR 89 MW 91 £15 Boutinot, Kingsbridge Wine Room, Noble Green, Noel Young, Taylors of Tickhill, The Vineyard, Wine Utopia Indulgent, with creamy oak apparent. It’s full-bodied, with ample, concentrated, juicy nectarine and pear fruit. It has a long, natural, acidic finish. Drink 2017-2022 Alc 13.5% Domaine Chante Cigale, Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2016 90 SF 89 LR 89 MW 92 £23-£24 Boutinot, Blas ar Fwyd, D Byrne & Co, Exel, Fenwick, Mill Hill Wines, ND John, Priory Wines, St Andrews Wine Co, Vinomondo, WoodWinters Aromas of lime blossom and straw. The rich palate brims with acidity, herbs of thyme and rosemary, and fruits. Drink 2017-2022 Alc 14% Les Dauphins, Réserve, Côtes du Rhône 2015 91 SF 91 LR 90 MW 91 £7.99

Asda, Tesco This is a solid example of a Côtes du Rhône with hints of elderflower cordial and lime. The finish is long and defined and there is some textural grain, like pear flesh, that gives it structure, as well as a cleansing drinkability.

Drink 2017-2019 Alc 13% Château de Vaudieu, Clos du Belvédère, Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2016 90 SF 89 LR 88 MW 92 POA

Liberty Wines Baked orange peel on the nose, followed by red apple and yellow pear. Full-bodied and richly concentrated with ample acidity and vibrancy. Drink 2017-2022 Alc 14.5% Château Sixtine, Châteauneufdu-Pape 2016 90 SF 91 LR 89 MW 89 £30 (2015)

Laithwaite’s This wine is bright in colour and energetic in temperament; orchard fruits and soft spice are in evidence. Pear fruit, hints of greengage and a modest chalky lift. There’s piercing acidity running through it, bringing balance and a long finish. Drink 2017-2023 Alc 14.5% Domaine de la Janasse, Côtes du Rhône 2015 90 SF 88 LR 90 MW 91 £14.13

Exel This is a rich and expressive wine that has notes of elderberry, honeysuckle and lime all in evidence. The finish is creamy and textured, nicely topped off with a dash of pear compote. It’s a well-judged and unforced style. Drink 2017-2019 Alc 13.5% ➢