La Boutinière rouge is the Côtes-du-Rhône from this family estate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a blend of mainly Grenache with Syrah and a small amount of Cinsault. The wine is vinified in temperature-controlled concrete vats, with remontage and délestage, and undergoes malolactic fermentation. The colour is deep garnet with ruby reflections. The nose is open and generous, with ripe black fruit such as blackcurrant, blackberry and black cherry, violets and a smoky touch from the Syrah, complemented by pepper, garrigue, bay leaf and black olive.
On the palate the wine is generous and warm, with juicy, concentrated fruit and notes of sage, rosemary and Provençal herbs. The Syrah brings tension, so the wine does not become too heavy. The tannins are supple and the acidity refreshing. The long finish ends on gentle spices, liquorice and black pepper.
Delicious with herb-crusted rack of lamb, duck breast with black olives, daube provençale or osso buco, and with Comté or Beaufort.