Coudoulet de Beaucastel is one of the Rhône's most reliable and best value wines. The little brother of Château de Beaucastel, its vineyard is a mere stone's throw from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with a boundary drawn more by political lines than qualitative ones. The soils are remarkably similar and the vines are farmed and harvested with the same expertise. 

It is only the intent in the cellar where things really start to differ with a gentler extraction, an élevage to retain primary characteristics and a blend of varieties that leans on brightness in fruit and gentleness in structure. All that lends Coudoulet several advantages. It doesn't need extensive cellaring to be enjoyed, similarly it doesn't need rich and hearty food, and finally it is less likely to succumb to the drastic vintage variation as the wine is handled gently in order to promote its drinkability. And while Beaucastel itself is now being released at over £700 per dozen, the price here is a very reasonable £160 per 12. 

The 2021 has a series of positive reviews in what is a fresher, silkier vintage ideal for drinking now. Jeb Dunnuck praises the "great finish" and "fresher, focused style", and Joe Czerwinski of the Wine Advocate describes it as "long and complex", adding that it is "a remarkably consistent wine and always a solid value". A bottle sampled at the office recently was particularly moreish with proportions more akin to wines of the '90s: its juicy fruit and spicy undertones are unaffected by the liqueur-like sweetness or heady alcohol that has plagued so many wines in the Rhône over the 15 years or so. 

We have a parcel packed in 12s available for immediate delivery. This is a great wine for the Christmas table, a crowd-pleasing red that pairs with a wide range of food and is gentle enough to be enjoyed on its own.