Domaine de la Bastide Côtes du Rhône half bottle 2022

Domaine de la Bastide is an ancient southern Rhône property formerly run by Benedictine monks and before that as a farm by Knights Templar. (Vincent Boyer has plenty of artefacts to prove that, including ancient coins and a centuries old wine vat.) The Boyer family bought it in 1989 and today second-generation Vincent and Stephanie run the estate. It lies in the cru of Visan and some of these grapes go into this luscious Côtes du Rhône. It's a rich, supple blend of the top trio Grenache, Syrah and Carignan, with just a splash of Mourvèdre. It's a combination that delivers that magical balance of bright, ripe fruit, freshness and silky tannins. Served here in half bottle size, it's lovely with herby vegetable bake, on a picnic or at a BBQ.