Le Prince de Courthézon Côtes-du-Rhône 2013

A Gold medal winner for the last three vintages, this is a gorgeous, velvety Rhône red and offers terrific value. 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. Well travelled winemaker Thierry Ferlay brings a modern perspective to his work, and we think his Côtes du Rhône is exceptionally good.