Delas Frères Châteauneuf-du-Pape Haute Pierre 2021 - 75cl

Delas Frères has been a fixture of the Rhône since 1835, and Haute Pierre is its Châteauneuf-du-Pape — a wine built in the grand southern Rhône mould but with the house's taste for polish. The 2021 leads with Grenache, around 90%, rounded out with Syrah, and the vintage matters here: 2021 was cooler and fresher than the baking 2019 and 2020, giving a more classic, better-defined Châteauneuf.

The colour is deep garnet. The nose is powerful and spicy — dark berries, garrigue herbs, a warm liquorice note. On the palate it is rich and almost unctuous, with that liquorice thread carrying through and a tannic frame that is tightly knit but delicately handled rather than heavy. It has the concentration you want from the appellation without tipping into jam.

Give it air now, or better, tuck it away. This has a decade or more of development ahead.

How to Serve

Serve at 16–18°C in a large glass. A young Châteauneuf like this wants an hour in a decanter — it settles the tannins and lets the garrigue perfume come forward.

Where to Drink It

Boisdale of Belgravia, where a robust Rhône suits the room and the grill. Or The Wolseley for a grand plate of game and a serious red.

Food Pairings

Slow-braised lamb shoulder with rosemary and anchovy. Venison, too, once the wine has a few years on it.