From the storied granite slopes of Hermitage comes this pure Syrah, an expression of power tempered by poise. The 2021 Brunel de la Gardine carries the hallmarks of the appellation: deep, dark fruit, graphite minerality, and that unmistakable Hermitage muscle, all delivered with a supple, modern finesse. It’s a serious wine built to age gracefully, yet already offers great pleasure alongside grilled lamb or a rich winter stew.

Château De La Gardine is best known for its Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but the Brunel family’s northern Rhône ventures show equal ambition and class. The bottle itself is a conversation starter, its distinctive shape modelled on an antique, mouth-blown bottle unearthed by Gaston Brunel in the 1960s.