The Southern Rhône: New releases

Planted at 400m on a slope, Les Hauts de Julien is made from 90 year old Syrah vines co-planted with Grenache. The blend is 50/50 of those two varieties and the result is a rich and spicy wine that offers fantastic value for money. There's lots of Syrah character with smoky, white pepper notes and sappy freshness. There's great concentration and depth of rich, black fruit flavour with a more rustic, almost Cornas-esque structure.

Full of juicy red and black cherry fruit, with sappy, fresh notes from use of whole bunches. This is elegant and refreshing in 2021.

This has got to be one of the bargains of the wine world. It is made by the Perrin family, of Château de Beaucastel fame. It is rich and spicy, with lovely juicy, peppery red fruit. Silky and delicious, it belies its price point.