Château De La Gardine, Brunel De La Gardine Côtes Du Rhône, 2024

Brunel de la Gardine is the everyday expression from one of Châteauneuf-du-Pape's most respected families, the Brunels of Château de la Gardine. Sourced from Côtes du Rhône vineyards surrounding their estate, it is a GSM blend built for pleasure rather than patience — warm, generous, and unmistakably southern in character, with the kind of sun-baked red fruit and herbal lift that makes you reach for the terrine before you've even found a seat.

The 2024 vintage brought freshness and energy to the southern Rhône, and this shows it. There is real brightness here alongside the expected weight, with Grenache carrying the red fruit and Syrah lending the peppery, meaty edge that makes the blend interesting. Drink it slightly cool, with something from the grill.