Domaine Benedetti Côtes du Rhône Rouge 2021

Domaine Benedetti is a small, organic, family-run estate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The domaine was founded by Nicolas Benedetti in 1930, when he moved his family from Italy to the southern Rhône. Today, his great-grandson (also named Nicolas Benedetti) organically farms four hectares in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, ten hectares of Côtes du Rhône and two hectares of Vin de Pays. When I tasted the Domaine’s wines, I was blown away by their purity, depth and richness, not to mention the pinpoint expression of the terroir and vintage conditions of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the southern Rhône.

Benedetti's old-vine Côtes du Rhône rouge — a blend of Grenache and Syrah — pours a deep ruby red to the rim, presenting an intoxicating bouquet of ripe red berries and stone fruits laced with hints of peppery spice and underbrush. The medium- to full-bodied palate offers juicy flavors of strawberries, black raspberries and cherries intertwined with a vibrant acidity and smooth, velvety tannins. This Côtes du Rhône rouge glides to a long, supple finish that goes on for minutes. Enjoy with bacon-wrapped sausages or grilled lamb chop with a mint chimichurri.