Châteauneuf du Pape Tradition 2003

The Rouge Tradition is the estate red of Château de la Gardine and the wine the domaine is best known for. It's a Grenache-led southern-Rhône blend rounded out with Syrah, Mourvèdre and a splash of Muscardin, drawn from vines across the estate's mosaic of terroirs — the famous galets roulés for body, Urgonian limestone for minerality, and sandy-clay soils for finesse. It's aged in a mix of vats and older barrels for around 12 months, so the emphasis is on fruit and place rather than oak. Both of these are mature vintages now, offered as library releases in the estate's unique hand-shaped Gardine bottle.

At this age the wines have moved into their tertiary window: the youthful red and black fruit has softened and layered into stewed fruit, Provençal herbs, warm spice, leather and earth. The tannins are resolved and supple, the texture mellow, and the finish carries the sweet, savoury complexity that only time in bottle gives. The 1997 is the more delicate, forward vintage; the 2003 comes from a hot, powerful year and has more density and grip still in reserve.

Genuinely mature Châteauneuf is hard to source and even harder to find in good condition — these are ready-to-drink library bottles for a wine dinner or a collector who wants history in the glass.

Country/Region: France, Rhône (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)

Grape Variety: Grenache-based blend with Syrah, Mourvèdre and Muscardin

Bottle Size: 750ml

Ratings:  Jeb Dunnuck 90-92 | Jancis Robinson 15.5/20 | Robert Parker 92

Best serve at 16 – 18°C

Food pairing: Slow-braised beef rendang; tandoori lamb; Cantonese braised beef brisket with daikon.