Domaine Les Escondudes 2011

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe may be Châteauneuf'smost famous estate but tucked away next door is another treasure, a domaine known to relatively few yet whose wines have won a string of awards over the years. Even Rhône expert Robert Parker has rated recent vintages highly. The winemaker is Thierry Ferlay, who honed his skills in Australia'spremium Rutherglen region, as well as at various top Rhône estates. Domaine les Escondudes 2011 is made mostly from Grenache, for its voluptuous, mouthfilling fruit, and bottled without oak ageing because, frankly, its massive flavours just don,t need it. Packed with lusciously ripe, spicy, bramble character, it goes beautifully with roasted meats and game such as canard à l,orange or rabbit stew.