Mathilde Chapoutier Duché d’Uzès 2023

Mathilde Chapoutier, of the Rhône house M. Chapoutier, makes this red in the AOC Duché d'Uzès, a southern Rhône appellation between the Cévennes and the Mediterranean. The blend pairs Syrah with Grenache, the two pillars of southern Rhône reds, grown under a warm Mediterranean climate tempered by cooler air off the hills. The wine is aged six months in old vats, combining amphora and concrete rather than oak. These inert vessels add no wood flavour and let the fruit and the garrigue character of the region come through clearly, while the porous materials allow a slow, gentle exchange of air that softens the texture and keeps the colour bright. Expect a deep red, a nose of brambly red and black berries, plum, black pepper, dried herbs, olive and a stony, earthy note, and a palate that is fresh and supple, with ripe fruit, peppery spice and fine tannin. Serve at 16 degrees. Its mix of ripe fruit and savoury herb makes it a flexible match for grilled meats and Mediterranean dishes.