Don’t buy cheap Châteauneuf, this is far, far better

Domaine La Haute Marone ‘Le Torrent du Trignon’ Sablet Côtes du Rhône Villages 2012, France (£11.99 D Byrne, The Vineyard, Highbury Vintners, Bacchanalia)
There are lots of Rhône reds with similar warm plummy generosity and earthy spice, but this stands out firstly for its exotic nature – there’s an almost Alsace like floral lychee-like edge here – and the fact that despite its 15% alcohol, the overall impression is of unforced elegance. Drinkable now, but has the tannic backbone to keep it going for…I hesitate to say 10 years, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see it still fighting fit at that age. S(+)