Perrin Côtes du Rhône Réserve Rouge (75cl, 13.5%)

A Southern Rhône red blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre from Famille Perrin, bottled at 13.5% ABV. The blend is Grenache-dominant, typically around 60% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre and 20% Syrah, with proportions shifting by vintage. A portion of the fruit undergoes thermovinification, a flash-heating extraction technique also used at Château de Beaucastel. The nose opens with ripe black fruit, mulberry, cassis and blueberry, followed by dark cherry compote, baking spices, dried garrigue herbs and Sichuan pepper. The palate is fleshy and generous, with mulberry and kirsch, a brisk mineral sheen, fine-grained tannins and a silky texture. The finish is medium in length, peppery and spicy, with brambly earth and garrigue notes.