Domaine Brusset, Côtes du Ventoux Les Boudalles 2010

Press

Wow, my bargain find of the year so far! It’s just such a delicious, fruity, vibrant, moreish southern French red, and I love it! Just because it’s winter, you don’t have to go for blockbusters, so try this instead, as a smooth, lively alternative, which is made from mainly the fruity Grenache grape, with Carignan and Mourvedre adding weight and structure. The aromas impressed me immediately – forest fruits, cherries, and the classic southern French lavender and thyme scents; on the palate, simply gorgeous – lifted, lively, bursting with black cherry and brambly blackberry fruit, with a touch of black pepper and liquorice. It’s a medium weight, juicy, joyous wine from the Rhone Valley, which should have huge appeal to those of you who may want a livelier style of red! Rhone wines work brilliantly with lamb, and I tried it with a Mediterranean herb-infused lamb stew, but it’s a classic for roast lamb, and would also be great with winter hotpots, shepherds pie, mild Indian dishes and pasta dishes.

Angela Mountwww.guide2bath.com