Le Prince de Courthézon Côtes du Rhône 2017

As close as you get to genuine Châteauneuf power – and with a Gold medal pedigree too, winning Gold for the last eight vintages. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre are the three mainstays of this champion that boasts layers of velvety ripe black fruit, liquorice and spicy complexity. It's from the only co-operative cellar in Châteauneuf du Pape, the top appellation of the southern Rhône, and is owned and run by local growers. The grapes are from vineyards that abut the famous name appellation and share the same stone strewn soil that promotes superb ripeness and richness of fruit. The vines are old and gnarled, producing few grapes but with rare concentration of flavour. It's made by Châteauneuf winemaker Thierry Ferlay ... and it's very, very good!